January 3, 2006

China's Shandong hit by FMD outbreak

China's agriculture ministry said 91 cattle were culled in Shandong province recently due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, or FMD.

Symptoms of the highly contagious disease include high fever, oral and feet blisters and significant weight loss among cloven-hoofed domestic animals.

48 cattle on the farm in Changqing district had tested positive for FMD and were culled. Another 43 others that were in close proximity with them were also slaughtered as a precaution.

The farm has been quarantined and other animals within the vicinity were vaccinated to prevent further spread of the disease.

In May last year, China had already reported FMD outbreaks in five regions, including Shandong, to the World Organisation for Animal Health. Over 4,000 cattle were culled as a result.