August 8, 2005

China hit by anthrax amid latest outbreaks of animal diseases

Anthrax has hit Shenyang city in north-east China's Liaoning province late last month, killing one person and infecting 12 others, according to the country's official Xinhua news agency.

The infections were isolated to the Damintun area and two surrounding villages, and no new cases have been reported in Damintun recently, Xinhua said.

Local authorities inoculated livestock in affected areas with anti-anthrax vaccines or culled and safely buried them. In addition, tight checks were conducted on all local meat sales points and people were banned from bringing sick animals to markets.

The anthrax victims were reportedly infected through slaughtering, handling or eating infected cows.