New foot-and-mouth virus stalks cattle in central Vietnam
VIET NAM - A new foot-and-mouth virus type, Asia 1, has infected at least 650 cows, buffaloes, pigs and goats in the central province of Quang Tri.The provincial People’s Committee reported Wednesday that the recent epidemic caused by the Asia 1 virus type, whose origins are yet to be traced, had spread to the five districts of Dakrong, Gio Linh, Trieu Phong, Cam Lo and Huong Hoa.
The worst-hit area was Dakrong with over 470 out of 650 animals contracting the disease.
Tests by the Animal Health Department have confirmed that the cattle have been afflicted by the Asia 1 type, and not the commonly known O type.
Early last month, 55 cows were transported from the northern province of Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri by the local Thuan Thanh Ltd. Company for a provincial poverty-elimination project.
Though the province’s Agriculture and Rural Development Department had advised the firm to quarantine the cattle for 15-21 days, the company ignored the advice and distributed the animals to farmers.
Source: Thanhnien News