August 8, 2006

China reports foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Gansu

China has reported a fresh outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in north-western Gansu province.

In a statement on its website, the Ministry of Agriculture said late Monday  (Aug 7) that cattle at Gaoshi village in Gansu's Huining county began showing symptoms of the illness Jul 31, and were diagnosed with Asia-I foot-and-mouth disease by the National Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory Aug 4.

A total of 607 livestock, including 230 cattle, were slaughtered after the outbreak, while the local government closed off and quarantined infected areas, it added.

The ministry reported in July two outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in neighbouring Qinghai region.