The possibility of a foot and mouth outbreak in New Zealand lessened slightly today.
On Newsblog yesterday we reported that an anonymous person had written to the prime minister claiming the highly contagious virus had been released on Waiheke Island, off Auckland, and demanding money and tax reforms.
If true, the first symptoms would have appeared today, but so far the sheep and cattle remain healthy. However, government officials are warning farmers not to heave a sigh of relief just yet - the disease has an incubation period of up to 14 days.
Friday was also the day that the letter writer had threatened to release the virus on the country's North Island, but silence has so far prevailed.
