HANOI, Feb. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Vietnam's central Quang Nam Province is taking urgent measures to curb the spread of foot-and-mouth disease which has affected nearly 2,000 buffaloes, cows, bulls andpigs, a provincial veterinarian official told Xinhua on Monday.

    "We have vaccinated unaffected cattle, detoxificated affected areas, banned transport of cattle in affected districts and towns,and killed affected pigs," said Tran Thi Anh at the provincial Veterinarian Department.

    Quang Nam focuses on treating affected buffaloes and cows, and culling affected pigs because the pigs turn out much more viruses via manure, nasal swabs, saliva and urine than other animals, she explained.

    To treat affected cattle, veterinarian staff and local people wash their mouths and hoofs by acid substances and juices from lemon and star fruit. They also use antibiotics to prevent sick cattle from infections, and feed the animals with soft and easily digestible food, Anh said.

    The province has beefed up surveillance on slaughterhouses and meat on offer in local markets. It has used 45,230 doses of vaccines and 300 liters of chemical BKA for detoxification.

    Foot-and-mouth disease has stricken six towns and districts in Quang Nam since last December. The province is the home to 57,670 buffaloes, 176,922 cows and bulls, and 542,301 pigs, Anh said. Enditem