Prevent the epidemic from re-emerging, and do not let pork prices spike

Provinces are required to drastically implement 4 steps: declare epidemic, destroy, clean the environment and prepare breeds for herd restoration.

Outbreaks occur mainly in small-scale livestock farms.

According to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine ( Ministry of Agriculture and Environment ), as of July, the total pig herd in the country reached over 30 million, an increase of 2.1% over the same period, despite being affected by African swine fever.

Based on reports from localities and the recent inspection of African swine fever prevention and control in Lang Son, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien said that pig herds in large enterprises and farms are still well maintained thanks to strict application of biosafety measures and vaccination, so the death rate of pigs in industrial farming is very low.

Meanwhile, recent outbreaks have mainly occurred in small-scale farms, with about 136,000 pigs having been destroyed.

Number of cases tends to decrease

Faced with the complicated rainy and flood weather situation, combined with the rapid spread and high virulence of the African swine fever virus, there have been a series of conferences and directives, especially the Prime Minister 's Official Dispatch No. 109/CD-TTg on strengthening disease prevention and control.

Mr. Phan Quang Minh, Deputy Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, said that after the Official Dispatch No. 109/CD-TTg dated July 16 was issued, the leaders of the Ministry and the Department have strengthened their direction and supervision of the situation. However, the phenomenon of pig carcasses being dumped indiscriminately still exists. Since the end of July, the number of recorded cases has tended to decrease.

Epidemic prevention and control requires close coordination between authorities at all levels and local authorities, especially at the commune level.

Some places have punished and even criminalized acts of transporting, illegally destroying pigs or slaughtering them improperly.

However, due to limited grassroots veterinary forces, some communes have only one veterinary officer, or even none, so it is necessary to mobilize more forces from other sectors to set up quarantine, disinfection and sterilization checkpoints.

Challenges from recombinant viruses

Notably, a recombinant strain of the virus has recently emerged, making some current vaccines less effective than before. The pathogen still exists in old outbreaks and in some pig herds, especially after storms and floods.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is currently working with businesses and scientists to collect samples, isolate viruses, research and produce vaccines suitable for circulating virus strains. However, this is a process that requires time and must be verified in the field before being widely deployed.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said that the Ministry has directed veterinary forces to go directly to provinces such as Lang Son and Phu Tho to coordinate with local veterinary departments to thoroughly handle outbreaks. The provinces are required to drastically implement 4 steps: declare the epidemic, destroy, clean the environment and prepare breeds for re-herding. Some localities such as Lang Son have quickly established the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, arranged inter-commune stations to strengthen the epidemic prevention force.

Prevent disease, do not let pork prices increase suddenly

According to the report of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, it is expected that by October, the process of injecting African swine fever vaccine for sows, boars and pigs will be completed.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment also requested specific instructions on handling animal carcasses, disinfecting the environment, ensuring biosafety, and being ready to restock and meet consumer demand during the New Year and Lunar New Year.

"The goal is to prevent meat prices from increasing dramatically, affecting socio-economic stability. Disease prevention and control in livestock farming, especially African swine fever, remains a top priority. Preventive measures have been strongly implemented, especially vaccination and enhanced disease control. Localities' synchronous implementation of solutions will help minimize damage and maintain stability in livestock production," Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien emphasized.

Do Huong

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/ngan-dich-tai-bung-phat-khong-de-gia-thit-lon-tang-dot-bien-102250805105134988.htm