Livestock in some provinces of the country died after contracting foot-and-mouth disease this winter.
The disease killed 11 cattle, one buffalo and a pig in Xieng Khuang province. But 3,745 cattle and more than 600 buffaloes were treated using traditional methods and recovered from foot-and-mouth.
The disease has now stopped affecting animals in the province since the outbreak began in December, according to a report from the provincial livestock and fisheries section.
Most of the animals died because they were not well cared for by their owners, said section Head Mr Phimpha Niravong.
He said some farmers left their animals out to graze for one or two weeks without attending to them. When they penned them, the animals were sick but by that time it was too late to cure the disease.
There is no vaccine for foot-and-mouth, but it can be treated by traditional methods involving vinegar or herbs, said Mr Phimpha.
Foot-and-mouth also struck the province last year, but it did not affect meat supply and consumption.
Livestock in Vientiane also developed foot-and-mouth disease but no information has been passed on to the media about the number of livestock that died.
In Bokeo province, haemorrhagic fever occurred in Huayxai district, according to local authorities.
The provincial livestock and fisheries section will report next week on the number of animals that died or were infected.
The section is asking the provincial Agriculture and Forestry Department for funding so that technical staff can work with district authorities to solve the problem.
In Vientiane province, more than 40 cattle and buffaloes died from haemorrhagic fever and some calves died from foot-and-mouth disease, said the provincial livestock and fisheries section Head, Mr Soumkham Southammavong.
He said the incidence of both diseases had declined but haemorrhagic fever was still present in Hom district.
The section will try to send technical staff to work with local authorities in visiting village groups to give vaccinations.
It is generally recognised that haemorrhagic fever broke out because farmers did not take sufficient care of their animals' health or vaccinate them.
By Khamphone Syvongxay (Latest Update February 18, 2010)
Livestock in some provinces of the country died after contracting foot-and-mouth disease this winter.
The disease killed 11 cattle, one buffalo and a pig in Xieng Khuang province. But 3,745 cattle and more than 600 buffaloes were treated using traditional methods and recovered from foot-and-mouth.
The disease has now stopped affecting animals in the province since the outbreak began in December, according to a report from the provincial livestock and fisheries section.
Most of the animals died because they were not well cared for by their owners, said section Head Mr Phimpha Niravong.
He said some farmers left their animals out to graze for one or two weeks without attending to them. When they penned them, the animals were sick but by that time it was too late to cure the disease.
There is no vaccine for foot-and-mouth, but it can be treated by traditional methods involving vinegar or herbs, said Mr Phimpha.
Foot-and-mouth also struck the province last year, but it did not affect meat supply and consumption.
Livestock in Vientiane also developed foot-and-mouth disease but no information has been passed on to the media about the number of livestock that died.
In Bokeo province, haemorrhagic fever occurred in Huayxai district, according to local authorities.
The provincial livestock and fisheries section will report next week on the number of animals that died or were infected.
The section is asking the provincial Agriculture and Forestry Department for funding so that technical staff can work with district authorities to solve the problem.
In Vientiane province, more than 40 cattle and buffaloes died from haemorrhagic fever and some calves died from foot-and-mouth disease, said the provincial livestock and fisheries section Head, Mr Soumkham Southammavong.
He said the incidence of both diseases had declined but haemorrhagic fever was still present in Hom district.
The section will try to send technical staff to work with local authorities in visiting village groups to give vaccinations.
It is generally recognised that haemorrhagic fever broke out because farmers did not take sufficient care of their animals' health or vaccinate them.
By Khamphone Syvongxay (Latest Update February 18, 2010)
many Laonok won't reply on this topic, because many people dont care much about animal dies in Laos, is that right?
This was posted not to spark debate but to serve as a subtle reminder that while you guys are discussing highly politicized topics, ordinary lao are facing real life problems and making efforts to overcome them.
