VIENTIANE, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The Lao government has temporarily banned the import and export of cattle, beef, and other bovine products to prevent the spread of an infectious skin disease.

The Department of Livestock and Fisheries under the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry issued a notice on Monday ordering the ban, which will remain in force until the end of June.

The ban comes after the department found a case of lumpy skin disease on a cattle farm in Lao capital Vientiane late last month, local daily Vientiane Times reported on Thursday.

Lumpy skin disease is a viral disease that affects cattle. It is transmitted by blood-feeding insects, such as flies, mosquitoes and ticks. It causes fever, nodules on the skin and can also lead to death.

The department has prohibited the transport of cattle between provinces, districts and villages over the next month.

In the notice, the department issued guidelines for the livestock and fisheries sector on setting up checkpoints to control the transport of cattle until the disease outbreak subsides.

The department also informed the general public, farmers and businesses about ways to prevent the spread of the disease, including by getting rid of blood-sucking insects and improving hygiene in livestock environments.

Source from: Xinhuanet. (2021). Laos temporarily bans import, export of cattle amid disease outbreak. Retrieve from http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/asiapacific/2021-06/03/c_139986808.htm (June 03, 2021)