Vietnam's southern Can Tho city has been stricken by foot-and-mouth disease over the past few days, according to local animal health agency on Thursday.

The disease broke out in the city's Thot Not district on Dec. 24, affecting 11 pigs, the Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said, noting that all of the infected animals have been culled to prevent further spread.

At present, the foot-and-mouth disease has been found in 24 communes in 13 districts in Can Tho and five provinces, namely Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang and Lang Son in the northern region, central highlands Lam Dong province and southern Soc Trang province, affecting 746 bulls and buffaloes as well as 175 pigs, said the department.

Under a national agriculture development plan approved by the government in 2005, Vietnam will, by 2010, have 35-40 million pigs, 6.5-6.7 million bulls and cows, 2.8-3 million buffalos, and 380- 390 million poultry.

Source: Xinhua