On the afternoon of May 9, Dr. Nguyen Van Binh, Deputy Director of the Department of Preventive Health under the Ministry of Health, confirmed that Vietnam has not recorded any cases of foot-and-mouth disease resulting from contact with or consumption of infected livestock.
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| Among these pigs, some are infected with foot-and-mouth disease (Photo: VNN) |
However, some global studies indicate that the possibility of foot-and-mouth disease transmitting to humans exists, but at a low and mild level.
According to Mr. Binh, it is difficult to distinguish between meat from infected livestock and that from healthy livestock, especially when the affected areas of the animal have been removed.
Therefore, the most important measure is to enhance control activities by local authorities and veterinary services in areas currently experiencing outbreaks. It is crucial to prevent residents from transporting or trading livestock and livestock products infected with foot-and-mouth disease from one region to another. Additionally, cleaning and disinfecting farms and environments should be conducted. In cases where there is a necessity to handle infected livestock, personal protective equipment must be used.
It is known that since the beginning of the year, 154 districts and 433 communes across 36 provinces have reported cases of buffalo, cattle, and pigs infected with foot-and-mouth disease. The total number of infected buffalo and cattle is 26,000, while 10,500 pigs and 47 goats have also contracted the disease.
According to assessments from the Department of Animal Health, this year’s foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is quite severe. The cause is attributed to the pathogens persisting in livestock populations. Measures such as culling, area containment, transportation bans, and vaccinations have not been uniformly implemented; some areas have succeeded while others have not, resulting in animals kept for treatment continuing to spread the disease.
Moreover, smuggling across borders still occurs, bringing in uncontrolled pathogens. Additionally, foot-and-mouth disease has a cyclical nature, with outbreaks occurring every 3 to 5 years due to the persistence of the pathogen, leading to re-emergence after a certain period.
Le Ha
