China has strengthened border controls, expedited vaccine distribution, and initiated the culling of cattle following a minor outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the northwest region. Officials confirmed that the disease was introduced from overseas.
The Ministry of Agriculture announced the culling of animals and disinfection of affected areas after outbreaks affected a total of 6,229 cattle in Gansu province and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Analysts noted that this was the first detection of the SAT-1 serotype, a type of the disease typically found in Africa, in China. The existing domestic vaccines for the more common O and A serotypes were reported to be ineffective against this strain.
Since 2025, SAT-1 has spread from Africa to regions in the Middle East, West Asia, and South Asia. Authorities stated that the outbreak entered China through the northwest border, which shares boundaries with Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, and other nations. Border provinces like Xinjiang and Gansu have been instructed to enhance surveillance and prevent the disease from entering through smuggling or illegal transportation.
“The current outbreak poses a significant threat to a vast region, putting severe pressure on prevention and control measures,” stated Rosa Wang, an analyst at Shanghai JC Intelligence Co.
The outbreak coincides with Russia’s struggle against a severe cattle disease outbreak in the Siberian Novosibirsk region, which is adjacent to Kazakhstan and located approximately 1200 km and 2500 km away from the outbreak sites in Xinjiang and Gansu. A report by the US Department of Agriculture suggested that China’s extensive response might indicate a suspected foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, a claim denied by Russia.
Historically, animal diseases have crossed into China from Russia, including African swine fever in 2018 and foot-and-mouth serotype O in 2000 and 2014. Experts warned that China might impose restrictions on Russian livestock products if there is evidence of the disease originating there, although challenges arise when such outbreaks are not promptly reported.
China emphasized that the SAT-1 strain spreads rapidly, causing significant production losses with a mortality rate exceeding 50% in young animals. Analysts highlighted that SAT-1 mainly spreads through direct contact but can also be airborne, with airborne transmission being more potent than the common A and O serotypes. Two vaccines targeting SAT-1, developed by Zhongnong Weite Biotechnology Co., Ltd, received emergency veterinary drug approvals and are expected to enter the market within a month.
The livestock sector in China has been facing challenges such as declining meat prices, overcapacity, and weak consumer demand. Analysts warned that if the outbreak is not effectively controlled, cattle prices could initially drop, followed by a subsequent rise as herd numbers decline.