It is increasingly difficult to control the spread of the diseases laying a pox across Vietnam, with the latest bout of foot and mouth laying waste to pig and cattle livestock across the nation. Primarily, the disease is being spread by poor hygiene in transport, and efforts to curb it are falling on deaf ears.

At a meeting on foot-and-mouth disease control on May 16, the Veterinary Department reported that the disease has spread to 28 provinces throughout the country. The reason for the spread is pegged to sporadic re-infections the Central Highlands and central regions, with new infections being brought in with stock from China to the northern mountainous provinces of Cao Bang and Ha Giang. Generally, however, the lack of any real control over transport methods for cattle and pigs inside the country is the culprit.

The outbreak is killing cows, buffaloes and pigs, with numbers of affected swine much higher than in previous years. The porcine problem is primarily in the southern provinces of Long An and Tien Giang, and central highlands Lam Dong Province.

Source: VietnamNet