China confirms 2 foot-and-mouth cases

China on Wednesday confirmed two outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease -- in the southern province of Guangdong and southwestern Tibet Autonomous Region. Donghui pig farm in Shange Township of Maoming, Guangdong, reported its 88 pigs showed suspected signs of the disease on Feb. 18, according to the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA). Some farmers at Degki Village in Nyethang Township in Chushur County in Lhasa, capital of Tibet Autonomous Region, reported 13 head of cattle showed suspected symptoms of the disease on Feb. 19, the MOA added. The National Foot-and-Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory on Wednesday confirmed that the livestock in Guangdong were infected with type A foot-and-mouth and those in Tibet were hit by the type O variety of the disease. Local authorities culled 948 sick pigs in the Guangdong case and 37 sick cattle in the Tibet case, as well as those in the same flocks, the MOA said. Foot-and-mouth disease is a contagious and sometimes fatal viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including domestic and wild bovid.