June 16, 2010
Sri Lankan cattle industry hit by foot mouth disease
Foot mouth disease (FMD) which hit the cattle industry in Sri Lanka's Central Province has now spread to the North Central Province, the Sri Lankan government said on Tuesday (June 15).
"The spread began in the Central Province and is now rapidly growing in the Anuradhpura district," A. Chandrasoma, the director of Animal Product and Health Department said.
Chandrasoma said it was caused by the transporting of cattle among the provinces and urged cattle owners to have the animals vaccinated. The winds have been carrying the disease and infecting healthy animals, he said.
At least 160 cases of FMD have already been identified in the island. The first cases were detected in the Central provincial town of Kundasale.
Chandrasoma said his department will monitor the situation and take action to declare the worst hit areas "banned zone" for the cattle industry.
