As of Tuesday, the foot-and-mouth epidemic has stricken 15 northern and central provinces of Vietnam, sickening thousands of cattle, according to the Department of Animal Health.

 

Affected provinces include Yen Bai, Quang Ngai, and Lang Son, where over 2,100 animals have been inflicted with the disease.

 

Le Minh Son, director of Animal Health Agency Zone No.1, said the disease is spreading because agencies had failed to vaccinate cattle in time.

 

Meanwhile, agricultural experts attributed the rapid spread of the disease to cattle still being allowed to roam freely.

 

In response to the risk of an epidemic, leaders of the department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development have ordered agencies in localities to control cattle movement and transport.

 

They were also asked to raise awareness among farmers and warn them against killing sick cattle for cooking, or trading and transporting them to other places.