Dec 18, 2008 (DVB), An outbreak of foot and mouth disease has affected cattle, goats and pigs in Chauk township in Magwe division, central Burma, and villagers said they were unable to afford treatment for the animals.

One farmer told DVB that young animals had been particularly badly affected.

"It has been occurring in Kinmumnyo, Thayetpin, Gwebin and Wathethan, Khinmun villages," the farmer said.

"Young animals have died as they could not cope. Only a few of the older animals have died but they are still affected by the disease."

According to the farmer, previous outbreaks of the disease have occurred during the rainy season, and he said it was unusual to see it in the current cold season.

The farmer said the treatment was too expensive for many farmers to afford.

"Vets came to have a look but they didn’t carry out widespread treatment," he said.

"It costs 2000 kyat per animal for an injection. Some [medicines] even cost more than 10,000 kyat."

The farmer called for the authorities to take charge of treatment and put preventative measures in place to stop the disease spreading.

During an outbreak of the disease in Azin village in Karen state in 2006, many animals died due to lack of medicine and the disease spread to a neighbouring village.

Reporting by Naw Say Phaw