China has reported a new outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the far western province of Qinghai, state television said on Saturday. It said the outbreak in Golmud city was discovered last week but it had already been bought under control with the slaughter of 98 cattle.
Qinghai had another outbreak earlier this month, which followed two in neighbouring Gansu province. Foot and mouth does not affect humans and outbreaks are relatively easy to control, but the contagious disease can have a serious impact on the livestock industry by reducing meat and milk production.