Alert for foot-and-mouth disease in Siberia

The feared outbreak is at a private farm and samples have been taken for urgent analysis. Containment measures were also imposed by the authorities, said the Veterinary and Phyto-Sanitary Surveillance Service (VPSS).

This area of Siberia - close to Lake Baikal - borders China and Mongolia. The regional capital in Chita. 

The disease is highly infectious and sometimes fatal to cloven-hoofed animals such as sheep, goats, cattle and pigs.

It is not a direct threat to humans.