An English slaughterman is suspected of having contracted foot-and-mouth disease.
The unnamed man from Cumbria is presently undergoing tests to establish if he has the disease, the UK Department of Health says.
The area where the man is from has not been disclosed.
Although rare, it is possible for humans to contract the disease.
A spokesman for North Cumbria Health Authority told the BBC: "A man working on the slaughter and disposal of animal carcases as part of the efforts to control the foot-and-mouth epidemic in North Cumbria is being investigated for possible foot-and-mouth disease.
"His condition is giving no cause for concern."
The National Farmers' Union said in a statement: "It's always been accepted that there's a small risk that humans could contract a mild form of foot-and-mouth if they are in prolonged personal contact with animals infected with this disease.
"We are very concerned to hear about this case. We will continue to work with Government vets and scientists to eradicate this disease."
A Department of Health spokesman said: "There are urgent tests being carried out for the illness which is a mild illness in humans with flu-like symptoms and blisters on the hand and in the mouth.
"There are no recorded cases of human-to-human transmission of the disease."
PA