February 9, 2004

FMD Outbreak In Central Vietnam Province

Vietnam authorities have announced an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the central province of Quang Nam.

According to local media, more than 1,200 buffalos, cows and pigs have been infected with the disease.

Authorities have imposed a ban on the trade, transport and slaughter of animals in the province to prevent a spread of the highly contagious disease.

A provincial government head says foot and mouth had been detected in 26 communes after an initial outbreak in December last year.

Vietnam is struggling to contain an outbreak of bird flu that has spread to 57 of its 64 provinces and cities and killed 13 people.