Foot-and-mouth disease reported in 19 localities

Illustrative image (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)
virus was reported in 19 cities and provinces nationwide in January, affecting
3,479 heads, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
(MARD).

The ministry further said that on February 8, 17 pigs in
Trieu Van commune of Trieu Phong district in the central province of Quang Tri contracted
the virus, and the figure rapidly rose to 78 one day later.

Along with culling the affected pigs, local authorities
provided 100 litres of anti-bacterial chemicals and FMD vaccines to local
farmers.

At the same time, pig herds in Trieu Thuong commune of Trieu
Phong district as well as Vinh Son commune of Vinh Linh district, and Gio Linh
district also suffered from the virus.

Meanwhile, in the northern province of Quang Ninh, many FMD cases
were discovered in Dong Trieu, Uong Bi and Binh Lieu district, posing high risk
of spreading to other localities.

The MARD has requested the localities to focus on directing
the prevention and control of diseaseson livestock and poultry in the 2018-2019
crop, while deploying solutions to control the trading and transport of animals
as well as their products, especially in and border areas.

Particularly, it is necessary to apply measures to prevent
from areas affected by African swine fever virus to enter Vietnam, the ministry
stressed.

Together with strengthening State management over pig and
livestock varieties, localities should guide authorized agencies to increase
food safety inspection at slaughter facilities.-VNA