China Has First Horse-Flu Outbreak in 13 Years, Near Mongolia

China said 130,000 horses risk catching flu after the nation's first outbreak of equine influenza in 13 years was discovered in a northwestern province.

More than 5,500 cases of the viral disease were reported in Altay, Xinjiang province, China's Chief Veterinary Officer Jia Youling said yesterday.

An analysis by the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute on Oct. 30 found the outbreak was caused by the H3N8 strain of flu, which isn't usually fatal for animals or dangerous to people.

Government officials are restricting the movement of horses, screening animals for the virus and quarantining those infected to control the outbreak, Jia said in a report to the Paris-based World Organization for Animal Health.

Horses at risk of infection are in the counties of Altay, Burqin, Fuhai, Fuyun, Habahe, Jemnay and Qinghe, he said in the report. Xinjiang province borders Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia.

Organizers of the Beijing Olympics said in 2005 they planned to hold equestrian events at next year's Games in Hong Kong because they couldn't promise protection from equine diseases and Hong Kong has more experience with equine sports.

Bloomberg
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