China reports 1st detection of FMD SAT1 serotype in cattle

CHINA – The Ministry of Agriculture in China has confirmed 219 cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in cattle across two establishments in Gansu Province and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

The outbreak involves the SAT1 serotype of foot-and-mouth disease virus, marking the first detection of this strain in China.

The two affected establishments house a total of 6229 cattle, indicating potential exposure of a substantial livestock population.

Local governments in Xinjiang and Gansu have implemented culling and disinfection measures in response to the outbreaks.

The emergence of SAT1 serotype represents a significant shift in China’s foot and mouth disease epidemiology, as the country has historically dealt primarily with serotypes O and A.

The absence of vaccine cross-protection creates an immunological gap across China’s cattle population, substantially increasing vulnerability to widespread transmission and necessitating urgent development or importation of SAT1-specific vaccines to prevent further geographic expansion.

The detection in Gansu and Xinjiang—both pastoral regions with high livestock density and established FMD endemicity—suggests the virus has entered through livestock trade routes or cross-border animal movement.

These northwestern provinces serve as critical livestock corridors connecting China to Central Asian countries, creating pathways for the introduction of novel serotypes and potential onward transmission to other major cattle-producing provinces.

FMD in China has become more stable in recent years, with a declining number of outbreaks (only seven reported from 2021 to 2023), mostly linked to animal movement. Serotypes O and A are present, though serotype A has not been detected since 2019 and serotype Asia1 since 2009.

Current circulation is dominated by introduced strains, particularly O/Ind-2001 (mainly in cattle) and O/CATHAY (in pigs), with O/Mya-98 persisting at low levels. Despite ongoing viral evolution, vaccines remain largely effective.

The UN FAO rapid risk assessment for the period 02–23 Feb 2026 notes that FMD SAT1, originating in sub-Saharan Africa, has shown atypical geographic expansion since its first detection in Iraq in March 2025.

The virus has subsequently spread to Azerbaijan, Egypt, a quarantine station in Bahrain, Cyprus, Kuwait, Greece, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, Lebanon, and Türkiye, demonstrating substantial transboundary transmission potential, primarily driven by informal animal movements.

FAO projections indicate that SAT1 spread is very likely over the next three months, particularly through informal movements of small ruminants, which may be sub-clinically infected yet capable of shedding the virus.

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