Foot-and-mouth disease forces closure of Khon Kaen cattle markets

Cattle markets are temporarily suspended in Khon Kaen after an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. (Bangkok Post file photo)

KHON KAEN: An order has been issued to close cattle markets in all 26 districts of this northeastern province from Nov 1-30 following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), said governor Somsak Jangtrakul on Sunday.

Mr Somsak said the provincial livestock office had earlier issued an announcement to declare Muang, Kranuan and Nam Phong districts, where dairy cows are raised, an animal disease epidemic zone from Oct 25 to Nov 25.

Since cattle markets are believed to be a source of the FMD outbreak, he has issued an order to close all cattle markets in all 26 districts of the province from Nov 1-30 or until the situation has returned to normal, Mr Somsak said.

The governor said the disease usually spreads during the transition from the rainy season to winter. Animals that show symptoms of the disease are required to be quarantined and those not yet affected by the disease must be vaccinated, he added.

Vehicles carrying cattle to the markets must also be sprayed with disinfectants.

The governor said the symptoms of cattle affected by FMD include fever, blisters in the mouth and on the hoofs, a drop in milk production, weight loss, loss of appetite, and quivering lips and frothing of the mouth. Those who see these symptoms on animals should immediately inform local livestock officials, he added.