China says curbs foot-and-mouth outbreak in Gansu

BEIJING, May 16 (Reuters) China has contained an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in northwestern Gansu province, the agriculture ministry said today.

Local authorities have culled 39 dairy cows and 32 pigs after tests confirmed on May 14 the presence of Asia Type One foot and month disease at a village in Yuzhong county, the ministry said on its Web site (www.agri.gov.cn).

Foot-and-mouth disease does not affect humans and outbreaks are relatively easy to control, but the disease can have a serious impact on the livestock industry by reducing meat and milk production.

Outbreaks that resulted in the slaughter of more than 1,000 animals were reported around China last year.

REUTERS CS PM1000