Containing African swine fever in mountainous areas

In early June 2024, at Cao Van Dien household (in Ke village, Lam Hoa commune, Tuyen Hoa district, Quang Binh), 3 sick pigs were found dead with unknown causes. This village mainly consists of ethnic minority households, so life is full of hardships.

Upon inspection, the pigs were found to be dead with typical symptoms and lesions of African swine fever, so the authorities took samples for testing. While waiting for the test results, Quang Binh Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health, together with local authorities and district authorities, discarded 3 pigs in accordance with regulations and instructed households on disease prevention measures.

After receiving the test results, Tuyen Hoa district proceeded to discard the pig herd (a total of 10 pigs) of Cao Van Dien's family and announced the African swine fever epidemic in Lam Hoa commune. As of mid-August, African swine fever had spread to the pigs of 9 households in Ke village, with a total of 137 pigs infected and discarded, totaling over 10,570 kg of meat lost.

Chairman of Lam Hoa Commune People's Committee Cao Phuong Huong believes that this commun is also a hotspot for epidemic recurrence. Faced with the risk of a widespread outbreak, local authorities have coordinated with relevant forces to drastically implement prevention measures and suppress the epidemic.

“We have had actions to isolate the epidemic area, set up checkpoints, mobile inspection teams, and strictly controlled the purchase, transportation, and slaughter of pigs and pig products in the epidemic area,” said Cao Phuong Huong.

Cao Van Nam's family (in Ke village) also develops a herd of over 80 pigs. This is also a major source of income for the family every year. When he discovered that the pigs showed signs of disease, Nam reported it to the veterinary staff and volunteered to support the authorities in discarding the pigs.

"While carrying each pig to the discard pit, I felt frustrated. Hundreds of millions of VND were lost, and everyone fell into despair. But to save the pigs of the people, we had to do it without hesitation," Nam said.

Apart from 38 liters of chemicals supported by the Quang Binh Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health, Lam Hoa commune allocated its budget to buy 1,150 kg of lime powder for people to use and control the epidemic. "Veterinary staff have given instructions to farmers on how to practice biosafety and disease-safe livestock farming. Farmers have also received guidance on some measures to manage pig slaughter and consumption of pig products when there is an outbreak of African swine fever in the area," Cao Huong Phuong said.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Tuyen Hoa district, from August 16 to the present, there have been no sick or dead pigs in Lam Hoa commune. The epidemic situation has stabilized. The last sick or dead pigs have been discarded, and 21 days have passed.