21.   The letter said Washington would begin sending veterinary officials to inspect EU meat and poultry imports that are generally exempt from inspections.

22.   The plan is being examined by EU member-country veterinary officials.

23.   The proposed ban was approved Friday by veterinary officials from all EU countries except Portugal, Ireland, Belgium and Britain, the farm officials said.

24.   Veterinary officials said the diagnosis was based on an autopsy in neighboring Switzerland after the cat had been put to sleep.

25.   Veterinary officials were trying to determine the source of the infection, a process that could take several weeks.

26.   Veterinary officials are spraying insecticide on cattle to fend off the attacks.

27.   Veterinary officials said it could take several weeks to determine the source of the infection.

28.   Veterinary officials were trying to determine the source of the infected pigs, a process that could take several weeks.

29.   Veterinary officials cannot say precisely when the outbreak began, but some have speculated the disease could have been present for as long as three weeks before being discovered.

30.   Veterinary officials told an emergency Cabinet meeting Tuesday that more were expected in the coming days, but the government hoped to prevent the further spread.