Thailand to restrict cattle, buffalo movements amid animal skin disease outbreak

The rarely fatal disease has already infected more than 6,700 cows and buffaloes in 35 provinces across Thailand. - Reuters

BANGKOK, May 23 (Reuters): Thailand has ordered strict controls on the movement of cattle and buffaloes after an outbreak of an a virus that causes lumps to form on the animals' skin and can reduce milk production, a government official said on Sunday.

The rarely-fatal disease, which does not affect people and is thought to be spread by flies or mosquitoes, is new in Thailand and has already infected more than 6,700 cows and buffaloes in 35 provinces across the country, according to government deputy spokeswoman Traisulee Traisaranakul.