Foot-and-mouth disease confirmed in Tibet

An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed in cattle in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, the Ministry of Agriculture said Thursday. A pasture in Gamba County, Xigaze Prefecture reported on June 8 that 22 head of cattle had shown signs of the disease. National laboratory test results released on Thursday confirmed that the cattle were infected with type-O foot-and-mouth disease, the ministry said. Local authorities have sealed off and sterilized the infected area, where 105 head of cattle have been culled and safely disposed of, according to the ministry. Foot-and-mouth disease is a contagious and sometimes fatal viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including domestic and wild species within the family Bovidae.