Algerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Abdelwahab Nouri said Thursday the foot-and-mouth disease is spreading among cattle in 16 states.
"The government has launched a strict vaccination program to contain the outbreak of the viral disease," he told Algeria Radio.
"The veterinary departments across the country have been alerted and enforced the preventive measures since neighboring Tunisia reported the first infection case a few months ago," Nouri added.
He affirmed the possibility of containing the outbreak of the disease and minimizing its impact on the local economy, noting that his government will pay damages to the affected farmers.