March 13, 2010

China reports FMD outbreak in Shenzhen

A foot-and-mouth (FMD) outbreak, which had affected 69 pigs, had hit Shenzhen in southern China's Guangdong province, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

The outbreak was first reported on March 4 in Longgang District and confirmed by the National Foot-and-Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory.

The affected pigs and those in the same herd were culled, said the Ministry.

The disease was under control now, said the Ministry. Previously, an outbreak involving 1,474 pigs was reported in Huangjinwei in Baiyun District in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong, on February 22.

FMD is a highly contagious and sometimes fatal disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, pigs, sheep and goats.