Foot-and-mouth disease hits cattle in China

An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed in cattle in southwest China's Yunnan province, the agriculture ministry said Sunday.

A village in Shangri-La County reported that 283 head of cattle had shown signs of the disease, Xinhua reported.

Laboratory test results released Sunday confirmed that the cattle are infected with type A foot-and-mouth disease, the ministry said.

Authorities have sealed off and sterilized an infected area where 1,767 head of cattle have been culled and safely disposed of.

Foot-and-mouth disease is a contagious and sometimes fatal viral disease that affects hoofed animals.