China near the border with the Russian Federation has discovered a new deadly strain of foot-and-mouth disease – serotype SAT1

In the Chinese province of Gansu and in Xinjiang, which borders the Russian Altai, 219 cases of the disease have been recorded among more than 6,000 head of cattle, forcing the authorities to begin urgent slaughter and disinfection of animals.

The identified strain of foot-and-mouth disease has not been previously encountered in the country, and existing vaccines against it are ineffective.

Recall that recently in the Russian Federation there was a mass slaughter of livestock, when thousands of animals were taken from their owners and burned. Therefore, there are suspicions that the Russian authorities are hiding the foot-and-mouth disease epidemic in order not to restrict meat exports.

The spread of the disease could reduce demand for feed and veal, which would at the same time increase demand for other types of meat, including pork and chicken.