(Yicai Global) Aug. 13 -- Eight people have caught a skin anthrax, which is presumably caused by an infectious bovine anthrax in Inner Mongolia.

The patients are in stable condition and spreading of the contagious disease is controlled, local animal rescue bureau told online news outlet China News Network yesterday. The outbreak of the potentially fatal disease took place in Tongliao in the eastern part of Inner Mongolia, which has much farming land for cattle, nine of which has died after contagion.

The local government launched an emergency plan to treat the sick and handle the dead animals, and the epidemic has been effectively constrained.

Anthraxis a soil-borne disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a large spore-forming bacteria, which is usually carried by sheep and beef cattle.

Editor: Emmi Laine