An animal that was believed to be Japan's second case of mad cow disease has tested negative after a more thorough inspection for the brain-wasting illness, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare reported late Friday.

The results of the test were released after the Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced on Friday morning what was believed to be the second case of the disease, rekindling fears among consumers and the agriculture industry.

The cow was slaughtered at Tokyo's central wholesale market and, after initial tests indicated the creature had the disease, the Tokyo government immediately ordered that shipments of carcasses and internal organs from the market be halted until the meat could be guaranteed free of the disorder.