Brett Wessler, Staff Writer   |   Updated: June 18, 2012

A new strain of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) poses a serious threat to the livestock industry in Kyrgyzstan as a significant number of livestock have already been infected.

The unknown strain of FMD discovered in the republic of Kyrgyzstan, bordering the northwest side of China, even infects vaccinated cattle.

According to Global Meat News, farmers affected by the disease are searching for a way to treat their animals. Minister Ravshan Jeenbekov has called for the government to address the issue and purchase a new vaccine for the animals.

Surrounding countries are worried the disease could invade their herds. Samples of the new strain of FMD have been sent to Russia to determine a solution. Preliminary data shows the FMD outbreak led to deaths of 3,000 to 4,000 cows in Kyrgyzstan this year.