(Yicai Global) April 24 -- China plans to begin checking for African horse sickness in border areas after cases were detecting less than 800 kilometers from a national border.

If any equine animals show symptoms of the disease or die in large numbers, relevant departments should isolate the animals, store carcasses in closed storage facilities, send test samples, kill insects that may act as vectors and report any such cases, China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said in a statement yesterday. It also wants authorities to spread awareness and epidemic prevention methods.

African horse sickness is an acute infectious disease caused by a virus of the same name. Blood-sucking insects, such as Culicoides, can spread the virus through bites. Horses are the most susceptible to fatal infections, with a mortality rate of up to 95 percent, followed by mules and donkeys.

Thailand has repeatedly notified the World Organization for Animal Health about an epidemic of the equine disease since the end of last month, the statement added, saying the latest cases were being reported closer to China and that the country could be at risk.

China has no history of the disease and animal husbandry and veterinary departments in southwest and northwest border provinces should cooperate closely with the customs, forestry and border defense departments to prevent the disease reaching the country, the ministry said.

Editor: James Boynton