The leech population was booming on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City after local breeders turned their stock free when their main client was closed down, local media reported Wednesday.
The leech population was booming on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City after local breeders turned their stock free when their main client was closed down, local media reported Wednesday.
Residents in Hoc Mon and Go Vap districts have forbidden children from playing near fields or water, online news site VietnamNet reported.
Locals used to breed the carnivorous worms for sale to a Chinese medical supplies company until around a month ago, when the Kim Anh Agency shut up shop after a warning from authorities.
Since then, thousands of leeches have escaped or been released into the area, which is rich with overgrown ponds, the worms' favourite habitat.
Hoc Mon district authorities were quoted as saying they were looking at ways to contain the problem.
Leeches can fetch up to 150,000 dong (7.5 dollars) per kilogram on the Chinese medicine market, where they are used to treat blood problems.
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