An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has been reported among cattle in north-western China, according to Reuters. Cases have been confirmed in Gansu Province and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture, there are 219 infected cattle in two herds totalling 6,229 head. On Saturday, the diagnosis was officially confirmed as foot-and-mouth disease of the SAT1 serotype.
A new serotype of foot-and-mouth disease in China
Industry analysts note that this is the first instance of the SAT1 serotype being detected in China. At the same time, the vaccines currently available in the country do not provide cross-protection against this strain, which poses additional risks to the livestock sector.
Deterrence measures
Local authorities in Xinjiang and Gansu have already implemented standard disease control measures:
- the culling of infected livestock
- disinfection of farms
- disease control
Source: Reuters
