The number of provinces in Laos suffering from foot and mouth outbreaks in cattle and buffaloes is increasing, according to the 16th meeting of the Sub-Commission for Foot and Mouth Disease in Southeast Asia.
“Incidences of the disease are increasing because Laos is located in the centre of the Indochina peninsula,” Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sitaheng Rasphon said at the conference, which is taking place in Vientiane from March 15-19.
“The main source of infection is suspected to be animal movements,” he added.
Many animals are imported for domestic consumption, and re-exportation of animals from Thailand to Vietnam and China is increasing.
The number of provinces with foot and mouth disease outbreaks has been increasing since 2006, which saw only one province affected. Outbreaks occurred in two provinces in 2007 and in six provinces in both 2008 and 2009.
Mr Sitaheng said that to control foot and mouth disease, the ministry has to make an effort to minimise the spread of the disease with support from international organisations, and bilateral agreements with Thailand, Vietnam and China.
The meeting also discussed the recent outbreaks of two dangerous human diseases: the avian influenza pandemic in 2004 and the spread of the influenza A(H1N1) virus in 2009.
During the avian influenza pandemic, which affected the poultry industry and caused two human deaths in Laos, the ministry implemented control measures against the disease in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and international organisations.
Livestock and Fisheries Department Director, Dr Bounkhouang Khambounheuang, said that similar measures would be needed to control foot and mouth disease.
“Our responsibility in participating in this 16th meeting is to find ways to set up short-, medium- and long-term work plans to effectively prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease.”
The livestock sector plays an important role in the national economy and is one component of the poverty alleviation programme, he said.
The 15th meeting of the Sub-Commission for Foot and Mouth Disease in Southeast Asia was held in Malaysia.
The 16th meeting this week is well attended with about 100 participants, including a delegation from the Sub-Commission for Foot and Mouth Disease in Southeast Asia, international donors, and other partner organisations.
