Diseases threaten the livestock industry in the Mekong Delta

Appearing sporadically, avian flu shows a high risk of outbreak

According to Ca Mau Sub-department of Livestock Production and Animal Health, avian flu has been occurring in several localities, not to mention that the weather is constantly affected by the season change, which is a favorable condition for Influenza A virus to develop. Farmers tend to increase their poultry flocks to prepare for the Lunar New Year, so poultry transportation and trading activities may increase, and there is always a potential risk of avian flu transmission to humans.

Facing the situation, the Sub-department recommends farmers who come into contact with poultry improve their self-awareness and detect abnormalities in their farming areas to promptly perform preventive measures. Farmers also need to choose poultry of guaranteed origin and only consume these foods when cooked.

Preparing to restock the poultry herd for the Lunar New Year, Tran Van Lam, Dong Hung commune, Cai Nuoc district, always make sure to keep the poultry flock healthy and bring high economic profits to the family. Upon hearing the news that a bird flu epidemic may occur in the province, his family's disease prevention work has been strengthened more than ever.

"First of all, you must improve the animals' resistance by adding nutrients in food and drinking water. Clean the barn twice a week and keep the barn ventilated using a fan system. The family has bought vaccine for the chickens preparing to enter the flock," Lam said.

It can be said that communication work to raise people's awareness about the prevention and control of avian flu (A/H5N1) needs to be more active. At the same time, the livestock sector needs to promote inspection and even mobilize personnel to proactively vaccinate poultry flocks.

If an outbreak occurs, not only will there be damage to people's poultry herds at the crucial point of preparation for the Lunar New Year, but the danger of the epidemics may also extend to the health of the community.

Leaders at the Department of Health of Ca Mau province believe that there is a need to strengthen monitoring of cases of acute respiratory infections, severe viral pneumonia syndrome and influenza syndrome to promptly detect cases of A/H5N1. Hospitals are ready to collect, quarantine and apply treatment according to regulations of the Ministry of Health and notify the provincial Center for Disease Control for timely epidemic prevention and control measures.

“We have directed the provincial Sub-department of Livestock Production and Animal Health to coordinate with the local health sector. The goal is to strengthen communication on measures to prevent the transmission of avian flu to humans in areas with sick, dead poultry spotted and other high-risk areas,” said Phan Hoang Vu, Director of Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

African swine fever "lurking"

Discovering 15 outbreaks of African swine fever in recent times, the agricultural sector of Tien Giang agreed with the People's Committee of Cho Gao district to declare an epidemic in Xuan Dong commune. Accordingly, the epidemic area is determined to be the entire Xuan Dong commune, the high-threat area is Hoa Dinh commune (Cho Gao district), and the buffer zone includes An Thanh Thuy and Binh Ninh communes (Cho Gao district).

Regarding the epidemic area, local authorities deploy measures to surround outbreaks, cooperate with functional agencies to set up quarantine posts to provide guidance and control travel, transportation, slaughter and trading of pork during an epidemic. Communes in buffer zones and high-threat areas also strictly implement disease prevention work.

African swine fever has broken out rapidly in Xuan Dong commune. As of now, there are 247 sick pigs in a total herd of over 841 pigs. More than 321 pigs were destroyed, equivalent to more than 16,200 kg of meat lost.

Not only in the hot spot in Xuan Dong commune, but African swine fever is currently “lurking” in other places within Tien Giang because this province is the gateway to the Mekong Delta, with pigs and pig products often in transit.

According to Thai Quoc Hieu, Deputy Director of Tien Giang Sub-department of Livestock Production and Animal Health, the unit has coordinated with local authorities at all levels to disseminate information on the prevention and control of African swine fever through mass media. Farmers are encouraged to practice biosafety farming and take advantage of the "golden hour" with rapid testing to early eliminate pigs infected with the African swine fever virus.