The Chinese veterinary authorities sent an immediate notification to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) yesterday, 1 March. The FMD virus was first detected on 22 February 2010 in swine and confirmed on 28 February 2010.
According to the report, the outbreak has occured at a village in Baiyun District, Guangdong. A total of 1474 animals, while 8382 are reported to have been susceptible to the disease. All animals showing signs of susceptibility have been destroyed.
The report states that the infected site is relatively isolated with no cloven-hoofed animals raised in close proximity. Serotype O last occurred in the country in 1999.
Several tests were conducted at the Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute. The tests carried out were enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and virus isolation. All tests confirmed the presence of the FMD virus in the area.
