May 17, 2007

China reports third foot-and-mouth outbreak in Gansu

China has confirmed a new outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Gansu province, the third in the northwestern province this year, the Ministry of Agriculture said Wednesday.

Ten cattle were found sick in Yuzhong County and were confirmed to have the disease, according to a statement published on the ministry's Web site.

Seventy-one cattle and pigs were culled and the situation is now under control, the ministry said.

The foot-and-mouth outbreak followed one in late February in Qinghai province, also in northwestern China.

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral illness that affects cattle, sheep and pigs but is harmless to people.