255 sheep culled to curb anthrax in Northeast China city

(ECNS) - A total of 255 sheep have been slaughtered following a suspected outbreak of anthrax in Jiamusi City, Northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province.

According to the Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center of Huanan County in Jiamusi, newly purchased sheep from the province’s Qitaihe City died from suspected anthrax at a local breeding site.

Huanan authorities promptly launched an emergency response plan, implementing a series of measures to disinfect the area and prevent the spread of the deadly disease.

All those who had close contact with the sheep have been quarantined, with one diagnosed with suspected infection by the virus and another whose diagnosis has not been confirmed.

The county said the outbreak has been effectively controlled without spreading.

Huanan’s neighboring county Yilan also intensified efforts to prevent possible contamination. A farmer in Fuqiangtun Village here had his 255 sheep, including 190 bought from Huanan, slaughtered.