July 12, 2006

New foot-and-mouth outbreak reported in north-western China

An outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) has been reported in north-west China's Qinghai province, the Ministry of Agriculture confirmed on its website on Tuesday (Jul 11). 

Cattle at three farms in Zhoulong village of Qinghai's Henan county began showing symptoms on Jul 1, and 51 cattle became infected over the next 5 days.

Confirmation of FMD was received from the National Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory on Jul 7.

Measures to close off infected areas, disinfecting and culling activities were undertaken jointly by the ministry and the Qinghai provincial government.

The disease is now under control after 212 cattle were culled, the ministry said.