March 10, 2006

China's Gansu province reports foot-and-mouth disease

The Ministry of Agriculture announced yesterday that 11 head of cattle had contracted foot-and-mouth disease in Gansu, a western province in China.

A farmer in Zhangye, in Gansu Province, noticed his cattle began showing symptoms of the disease on Mar 1. An official laboratory for foot and mouth disease confirmed 11 out of the 18 head of cattle in the herd had contracted type Asia-I of the disease.

The Ministry of Agriculture have activated emergency response procedures and took various measures, including implementing blockades and disinfecting the village where the farmer lives.

Veterinary authorities in Gansu have eliminated the entire herd to prevent the epidemic from spreading. They also inoculated other farm animals in surrounding villages.