China quells foot and mouth disease outbreak, ministry says

China reported an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Qinghai, the third case in the northwestern province so far this year, the Agriculture Ministry said.

Fifty cattle showed symptoms on June 7 and the disease was confirmed June 22, it said in a statement on its Web site dated Thursday.

Authorities brought the outbreak under control by slaughtering 107 cattle and disinfecting the area, the statement said.

Foot-and-mouth disease affects cows, sheep, goats and other cloven-footed animals, causing blisters on the mouth and feet.

It isn't usually fatal, but authorities usually slaughter animals to stop its spread because outbreaks often prompt governments to ban meat imports from the affected country.

Foot-and-mouth disease is not known to be a threat to humans, but is highly contagious among animals.