Localities take measures to prevent African swine fever

Illustrative image (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – throughout the
country have been active in taking to prevent the spread of African
swine fever (ASF).

The northern province of Lao Cai convened an
urgent meeting on March 6 to direct the implementation of measures.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s
Committee Nguyen Thanh Duong requested relevant forces to strictly control the
entry of pigs and pork products into the province through border routes,
highways, and river passages.

He assigned the provincial Department of
Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Industry and Trade, Department
of Health, and Sub-department of Market Management to set up inspection teams
across nine cities and districts, as well as instructed livestock households to
disinfect their breeding facilities.

The southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau has
built an ASF prevention plan, focusing on supervision over trade and transport
of pigs and pork products.

The southern province of Ben Tre and the
northern province of Nam Dinh have set up inspection stations to control the
import of pigs and pork products from other provinces.

Meanwhile, the central province of Ha Tinh, where
a large source of food and cattle-feed is transported through to other southern
provinces, has been increasing its examination of livestock trade and
transport.

The Central Highland province of Dak Lak has
issued an urgent notice to relevant departments to intensify measures to
prevent the disease.

The ASF virus does not affect humans but does
cause haemorrhagic fever in pigs and wild boars that is almost always fatal.
There is currently no antidote or vaccine, with the only known preventative
measure is a mass cull of infected livestock. The disease spreads by contact
between infected pigs or other wild animals and can inflict massive economic
damage on farms.

The virus is developing in a complex manner with
more than 4,200 infected pigs in nine provinces nationwide culled so far. –VNA