August 31, 2005

Russia's Maritime region declares state of emergency over FMD

Russia's Primorye, or Maritime region, has declared a state of emergency in the Spassk district following an outbreak there of FMD, or foot-and-mouth disease, local authorities said.

Several villages in the district were quarantined, and movement of people and goods to and from other regions was prohibited unless allowed by local authorities. Sale of meat products was also banned in the district.

46 FMD cases have been reported among cattle in one village, and three other Primorye districts suspected cases of the disease.

Russia's government has confirmed the Asia-1 strain of FMD was detected among livestock in several villages in Khabarovsk territory and in the Primorye region.

So far, 130 FMD infected cows were reportedly culled in Khabarovsk.

Meanwhile, Asia-1 FMD vaccines were already delivered to Primorye.