According to the municipal veterinary department, over the recent past, the city has launched a campaign to prevent foot and mouth disease, thus keeping the disease under control. It has tightened the management of livestock breeding, animal transport and slaughter, and mapped out a plan to build a system of abattoirs through 2010. It also prevents illegal slaughter, controls the trade of animal products, and facilitates vaccination for cattle and pigs.

However, HCM City, a buyer’s market in 90-95 percent of the animals and animal products from nearby provinces, is running the risk for food and mouth disease infection, said Phan Xuan Thao, vice head of the municipal veterinary department.

Nguyen Thien Nhan, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, urged relevant services to promote dissemination of information to raise people's awareness of  preventive measures. The municipal veterinary department has to prepare adequate vaccines for the prevention work, particularly for support of major cattle raising establishments, Mr Nhan said, adding that all unlicensed abattoirs must be closed within 10 days.