High vigilance: Protecting farms from African swine fever

Minimizing the emergence of outbreaks

Recently, African swine fever (ASF) has appeared in several localities in Thai Nguyen Province. Currently, in the communes of Trang Xa and Dan Tien in Vo Nhai District, 131 pigs are infected or suspected of being infected, with over 3,200 kg of pigs being culled.

According to Mr. Nong Van Toan, Vice Chairman of the Trang Xa Commune People's Committee, as soon as the outbreak was detected, the local authorities announced it widely over the loudspeaker system so that pig farmers could proactively protect their herds.

In addition, the local authorities coordinated with the relevant district departments to organize the culling of infected and suspected pigs. Trang Xa Commune has provided 3 tons of lime powder and 96 litres of disinfectant to farmers to sanitize and disinfect the farming areas promptly.

Furthermore, as soon as the situation was known, the Vo Nhai District Agricultural Service Center provided 1,300 litres of disinfectant and 100 litres of insecticide for flies and mosquitoes to the localities in the district to prevent the disease.

“The centre has also coordinated with the commune and town People's Committees to organize 21 training classes on ASF prevention for veterinary staff, collaborators, village heads, neighbourhood group leaders, and pig farmers in Vo Nhai District”, said Ms Dang Thi Hieu, Director of the Vo Nhai District Agricultural Service Center.

Currently, Vo Nhai District has a total pig population of approximately 38,000, mainly raised on a small scale by household farms. According to Ms. Bui Thi Sen, Chairman of the Vo Nhai District People's Committee, the district has required communes and towns to vigorously, uniformly, and effectively implement measures to prevent and control ASF to minimize the spread of the disease, which could affect the local economy.

"The district has also requested localities to strengthen surveillance and early detection of the disease. It is essential to strictly handle cases of concealing the disease, selling off, slaughtering, or discarding infected or suspected pigs in the environment, which can spread the disease. Additionally, there must be active dissemination of information to pig farmers through various means...", emphasized the leader of the Vo Nhai District People's Committee.

Heightened vigilance against infection sources

Currently, in areas of Thai Nguyen Province where ASF has not yet emerged, pig farmers are implementing preventive measures. An example is Mr Truong Van Quang's pig farm in Tan Yen Hamlet, Hoa Binh Commune, Dong Hy District, with a scale of 60 pigs per batch.

With nearly 20 years of pig farming experience, Mr Quang's farm has never had an ASF outbreak due to strict adherence to disease prevention measures.

"The entrance and surroundings of the pigsty must be regularly cleaned and disinfected. My pigs are vaccinated against ASF and undergo daily health checks. Particularly, I maintain high vigilance against infection sources from outside, such as traders, pig transport vehicles, feed, and strangers", shared Mr Truong Van Quang.

According to statistics, the total pig population in Thai Nguyen Province currently reaches approximately 600,000, with a total output of live pigs reaching 46,500 tons in the first five months of 2024. Recently, besides implementing biosecurity measures in livestock farming, the Thai Nguyen Sub-Department of Livestock Production, Veterinary Medicine, and Fisheries has intensified efforts to prevent and control diseases in livestock and poultry, particularly ASF in pigs.

"Immediately after ASF appeared in Vo Nhai District, the Thai Nguyen Provincial Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health and Fisheries organized inspections and urged localities to implement disease prevention and control measures as well as conduct the first round of vaccinations for pigs. The sub-department also requested localities to enhance surveillance and regularly report disease status on the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s software system. Additionally, the Mobile Team of the Sub-department was instructed to strengthen animal quarantine and control the transportation of animals", said Mr Do Dinh Trung, Deputy Director of the Thai Nguyen Provincial Sub-Department of Livestock Production, Veterinary Medicine, and Fisheries.