Hanoi, June 24 (VNA) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) urged the four provinces of Bac Kan, Lang Son, Quang Ninh and Hoa Binh to implement stringent measures against African swine fever .
Since the beginning of 2024, the disease has seriously affected the eight districts of Bac Kan, leading to the slaughter of nearly 10,000 pigs, or more than 40% of the national total.
In Lang Son, the fever affects 10 districts, with nearly 4,000 pigs slaughtered, or around 17% of the national figure.
Quang Ninh experienced outbreaks in 23 communes, with nearly 1,600 pigs slaughtered.
Hoa Binh reported outbreaks in 18 communes, leading to the slaughter of nearly 1,300 pigs.
Following these outbreaks, the Veterinary Department identified several causes contributing to the spread of the disease, including delay in reporting the disease at district and provincial levels and inadequate implementation of preventive measures.
Despite available vaccines, less than 1% of the country’s pigs have been vaccinated.
In response, MARD asked provincial committees to declare outbreaks, focus on prevention measures, and allocate resources for disinfection and containment efforts.
They must also enforce strict sanitation and disinfection protocols in affected areas.
Localities are required to guide livestock farmers to strictly implement daily sanitation practices, including disinfection using lime powder and chemicals in and around their livestock areas. They also ensure that households and livestock affected by the disease are thoroughly disinfected to eliminate pathogens and prevent further spread.
Provinces conduct examinations and require all personnel engaged in epidemic prevention to strictly adhere to personal protection measures, sanitation protocols and disinfection procedures in order to prevent disease transmission during handling, transportation and the elimination of infected pigs.
Provinces are urged to allocate funds to vaccinate livestock against diseases, strengthen veterinary capacity, ensure timely reporting and disseminate information on disease prevention and vaccine use. -VNA
