May 11, 2006

Animal smuggling causing foot-and-mouth epidemic in Vietnam

More cattle are being infected by Foot-and-mouth disease in Vietnam due to an increase in smuggling activities, Vietnam's Animal Health Department said at a conference in central Khanh Hoa province Tuesday (May 9). 

The illegal import of buffaloes, cows and pigs led to the outbreak in 17 provinces and cities, including the capital Hanoi. The department also added that the illegal activities are on the rise in provinces in the northeast and north-central regions and the southern Mekong River Delta.

Prime Minister Phan Van Khai has issued an urgent order to prevent the spread of foot and mouth diseases.

The Prime Minister has also asked animal health agencies, customs offices, market watch teams, border guard and police to strictly monitor transport and trade in animals and animal products.

The provinces were granted over 66,100 doses of vaccines , and local authorities sprayed chemicals to clean outbreak areas and slaughtered all infected animals.

Foot-and-mouth disease is highly infectious and affects animals with cloven hooves such as cattle, swine, sheep and goats.