Urgent telegram on focusing on controlling, preventing and combating the widespread spread of avian influenza

In Nghe An province, in 2020, there were 13 outbreaks of A/H5N6 bird flu in 5 districts and towns: Quynh Luu, Yen Thanh, Dien Chau, Nghia Dan, Hoang Mai. The total number of infected poultry that had to be destroyed was 19,506. Currently, there is 1 outbreak in Quynh Tan commune, Quynh Luu district that has not passed 21 days.

The flock of geese belonging to Mrs. Ho Thi Tinh's family in Hong Phu hamlet, Quynh Hong commune, Quynh Luu district was infected with A/H5N6 flu in February 2020. Photo courtesy of PV

It is assessed that in the coming time, the risk of ASF spreading and occurring on a large scale is very high, because Nghe An province has a large poultry population, most of the poultry raised by households have not been vaccinated against ASF, the weather is complicated, before and after Tet there are severe cold spells, drizzle, low humidity..., combined with increased trading, transportation of poultry and poultry products, especially in localities where ASF virus is circulating and there are old outbreaks.

Implementing Urgent Dispatch No. 170/CD-BNN-TY dated January 11, 2021 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on focusing on drastic and synchronous implementation of solutions to control, prevent and combat widespread avian influenza. To proactively prevent and combat avian influenza in a timely and effective manner, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requests Chairmen of People's Committees of districts, cities and towns; Directors of Departments; Heads of relevant provincial-level departments and branches to focus on synchronous implementation of disease prevention and control measures as follows:

1. People's Committees of districts, cities and towns:

- Resolutely and synchronously deploy solutions to prevent and control African swine fever according to the following documents: Urgent dispatch No. 33/CD-UBND dated September 24, 2020 of the People's Committee of Nghe An province on focusing on resolutely and synchronously deploying solutions to control, prevent and control livestock and poultry diseases in the current period, Official dispatch 4092/SNN-CNTY dated December 2, 2020 of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on strengthening the prevention and control of hunger, cold and diseases in livestock in the winter-spring crop 2020-2021;

- For localities with CGC outbreaks that have not passed 21 days, it is necessary to focus resources to fully implement epidemic prevention and control measures, not allowing the epidemic to spread and new outbreaks to arise;

Authorities destroyed all the flocks of geese and chickens of two families in Hong Phu hamlet, Quynh Hong commune in February 2020. Photo courtesy of PV

- Establish district-level interdisciplinary teams to inspect and control collection, trading, and slaughtering points for livestock and poultry; strengthen management of the transportation of animals and animal products from epidemic areas and of unknown origin circulating in the area;

- Organize inspection teams and provide guidance on hunger, cold, and disease prevention in communes; pay attention to food and fuel reserves, cover barns; pay attention to caring for young livestock and poultry that are susceptible to freezing.

- Prepare chemicals, lime powder, vaccines, materials... to proactively fight epidemics when they first arise, and prevent them from spreading;

- Directing the People's Committee at the commune level; relevant departments and units:

+ Regularly check and count poultry flocks, require farm owners and breeders to vaccinate poultry flocks 14 days old or older, ensuring vaccination rate reaches over 80% of the total flock; make records to administratively sanction farm owners who do not fully vaccinate according to regulations. Absolutely do not support farm owners and breeders who do not implement disease prevention and control measures according to the direction of local authorities.

+ Instruct livestock owners to strictly apply biosecurity measures; regularly clean and disinfect with lime powder and chemicals to destroy pathogens;

+ Actively monitor epidemics at the facility, collect and send samples promptly to detect diseases early. Concentrate resources and apply synchronous solutions to fight epidemics when they occur;

2. Department of Agriculture and Rural Development:

- Direct the Interdisciplinary Inspection Team to strengthen inspection and urge the implementation of disease prevention and control measures in localities; coordinate with local interdisciplinary teams to detect and handle violations in the control of slaughter and transportation of animals and animal products contrary to the provisions of law.

- Direct the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine: Strictly implement quarantine of animals and animal products transported in and out of the province. Coordinate with localities and relevant agencies to monitor and direct epidemic prevention and control; promptly report epidemic situations; fully prepare supplies, chemicals, vaccines, etc. to proactively handle epidemics on a small scale.

3. Provincial Radio and Television Station, Nghe An Newspaper:Strengthening extensive propaganda activities on the epidemic situation, risk factors, and measures to prevent and control CGC so that people know, implement, and coordinate with authorities and localities in disease prevention and control.

4. Provincial Police, Department of Industry and Trade, Market Management Department:Directing subordinate units and functional forces: Traffic Police, Environmental Police, Economic Security, Market Management to coordinate with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine and localities to strengthen inspection, control, arrest and strictly handle organizations and individuals trading and transporting animals and animal products illegally, of unknown origin, and not ensuring veterinary hygiene and food safety.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requests the Chairmen of the People's Committees of districts, cities and towns; Directors of Departments; Heads of relevant provincial-level departments and branches, and functional units to seriously implement this Official Dispatch./.