The Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed a foot-and-mouth outbreak involving 53 head of cattle, in the northwestern Qinghai Province.

The affected cattle in Datong County were diagnosed with Asia Type One FMD by the National Foot-and-Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory 13 days after they showed signs of illness on Sept. 30, said a ministry statement.

The ministry said the outbreak was under control, with the contagious areas cordoned off and disinfected.

A total of 110 cattle in the contagious areas had been culled. Other livestock at risk had been vaccinated.

(Xinhua News Agency October 17, 2006)