Russia's Far East steps up efforts to contain foot-and-mouth disease

VLADIVOSTOK, December 26 (RIA Novosti) - Veterinary officials in the coastal regions of Russia's Far East announced Monday they would be toughening hygiene regulations to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease in the region.

The measure comes in response to an outbreak of the disease at cattle farms in the Khabarovsk Area. All livestock and meat products leaving the area will now be subject to veterinary inspections, and a mass vaccination campaign is under way to protect livestock in neighboring regions.

Officials also said the local population was being informed about symptoms, prevention and treatment of the disease, and had been advised to report all suspected cases to authorities.