June 1, 2006

China reports foot-and-mouth disease in central and western regions

Foot-and-mouth disease have sickened cattle in central and western China but the outbreaks have been brought under control, China's Agriculture Ministry said Tuesday (May 30).

Last week, seven cattle fell sick in Changyang County in Hubei province and another three were infected in Jiayuguan in the western Gansu province.

The state laboratory for foot-and-mouth disease control confirmed the outbreaks of the Asia 1 type of the illness on Monday (May 29). 13 cattle, 32 pigs and seven sheep were destroyed in Hubei, while 35 cattle were killed in Gansu as a preventive measure, the ministry said. Surrounding areas have also been quarantined and disinfected.

The disease affects cows, sheep, goats and other cloven-footed animals, causing blisters on the mouth and feet.