SHENYANG, July 27 -- An outbreak of anthrax in livestock has been put under control in northeast China's Liaoning Province, said the provincial animal authorities on Monday.

Five cattle and one mule died from the disease on July 21 in Xifeng county, Tieling city, said the Liaoning Provincial Bureau of Animal Health and Production.

An emergency response was immediately activated and five other cattle were killed,it added in a brief statement. The area was disinfected and the dead livestock were properly disposed of.

Anthrax commonly infects all warm-blooded animals, in particular cattle. Humans can catch anthrax by a direct contact with infected animals or by eating contaminated meat.