Local Media Suggest FMD Widespread in China

March 20, 2010 — 

Recent reports in local media outlets suggest that Foot and Mouth Disease in China may be more severe and widespread than previously reported.

China has reported to the OIE 3 outbreaks during 2010: A new outbreak of FMDV serotype A in dairy cattle in a village in Daxing district, Beijing, which reportedly was controlled by stamping out; and 2 outbreaks of FMDV serotype O, reported in early March 2010 (starting in February) on 2 pig farms in Guangdong (one in Guangzhou, the 2nd one in Shenzheng); both were reportedly controlled by stamping out.

During 2009, China reported 14 FMDV outbreaks which were declared resolved. In November 2009, a notification of a new outbreak, caused by FMDV serotype A, was sent to the OIE. It involved cattle in the Changji Prefecture, Xinjiang and was followed by 2 additional outbreaks in January 2010, similarly affecting cattle in Xinjiang: one in Bayingolin Mongolia Autonomous Prefecture and the other one in Baicheng county. This FMDV serotype A outbreak is currently defined as "continuing;" (see <http://www.oie.int/wahis/public.php?page=event_summary&reportid=8688>;).

No information on cases in other provinces has become available during 2010 although local media reports suggest FMD outbreaks in Jilin, Heilongjiang, Liaoning, and Inner Mongolia.