The outbreak of Foot-and-mouth disease, a highly contagious and sometimes fatal illness, affecting cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, in south China's Guangdong Province has culled a total of 8,382 pigs.

"The National Foot-and-Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory confirmed the outbreak", said Yu Yedong, Deputy Director of Guangdong Provincial Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau.

Some two weeks ago, a suspected foot-and-mouth outbreak, involving 1,474 pigs, was reported in Huangjinwei in Baiyun District in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong.

"The outbreak led to the culling of all 8,382 pigs in Huangjinwei, including the affected 1,474", Yu said.

Intensive vaccinations to prevent outbreaks of diseases, including bird flu and blue ear have been urged by the Agricultural Ministry.

This year's prevention work will face more challenges and difficulties, Vice Minister Gao Hongbin had hinted in a conference.