A new form of foot and mouth disease spreads in China, killing thousands of cattle; border restrictions tightened.

Beijing: An alert has been issued regarding a new animal disease spreading in China . After an outbreak of a new type of foot-and-mouth disease in the northwestern regions , the administration has tightened border surveillance and started the process of culling affected cattle.

According to Chinese agricultural officials, a total of 6,229 cattle were found infected with the disease in Gansu Province and Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region , prompting a decision to disinfect infected areas and accelerate mass vaccination.

New serotype becomes a cause for concern

Experts say this is the first time the SAT-1 serotype has been detected in China. This variant is typically found in Africa, and the current vaccines available in China—those based on the ‘O’ and ‘A’ serotypes—are not considered effective against it.

It has been reported that after 2025, this virus has spread from Africa to the Middle East, West Asia and parts of South Asia, which has increased the possibility of its rapid spread.

Increased surveillance in border areas

Officials said the infection may have originated from the northwestern border, which borders Kazakhstan , Mongolia and Russia . Border provinces have been instructed to increase patrols and prevent illegal animal transport.

Rosa Wang said the current outbreak could threaten a large area and there is enormous pressure on control.

Fear of regional spread

This outbreak comes at a time when there have also been reports of severe animal disease in Russia’s Novosibirsk region. Russia has denied any major outbreak, but the US Department of Agriculture has indicated that China’s strict response suggests the possibility of widespread infection.

Experts believe that if not controlled in time, this disease can have a major impact on livestock and agricultural economy.