January 17, 2007

Hong Kong reports outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease

Hong Kong's agricultural department reported an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in two pigs in a rural area, but indicated no pig has died from it so far. 

Two pigs, discovered on a farm in the rural Yuen Long area, showed symptoms on Jan 10 and were later tested positive for the virus.

Tissue samples were collected for virology testing and were found to have foot-and-mouth disease virus, a spokesman for the department said.

No abnormal mortality in local pigs was observed in the department's inspection of the pig farms but the department urged farmers to closely monitor any sick animals.

Foot-and-mouth disease is highly contagious and affects cattle, pigs, sheep and other cloven-hoofed livestock and is usually not fatal.