Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture officials are investigating a suspected fresh outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.
Agriculture Minister Mrs Bríd Rodgers said a suspect case involving a single sheep displaying symptoms was discovered in a slaughter house in Dungannon, County Tyrone earlier today.
So far only one outbreak in the north has been confirmed in the South Armagh area.
But Mrs Rodgers said: "I'm extremely disappointed that nearly two weeks after the positive case in South Armagh we could now be faced with a further outbreak of the disease in Northern Ireland."
The sheep involved in the fresh scare originated on a farm near Augher, County Tyrone and samples have been sent to the foot-and-mouth disease laboratory at Pirbright in England for analysis.
Until these results are known Mrs Rodgers stressed steps currently being taken are purely precautionary.
Initial indications of whether the samples are positive should be available within the next 24 to 36 hours.
The department has placed both the abattoir and the farm under restrictions and has established a five-mile surveillance zone around both.
Mrs Rodgers added: "There's no need for panic at this stage but clearly this emphasises the need for further vigilance on farms and for compliance with the Department of Agriculture's advice on animal movements and movements of people."
PA