African swine fever: Que Phong has the first outbreak; Yen Thanh is still subjective

On June 13, the Department of Animal Health reported that it received 4 test samples from the Department of Animal Health Region III with positive results for African swine fever in 4 communes: Thinh Thanh, Hau Thanh (Yen Thanh), Da Son (Do Luong) and Que Son (Que Phong).

Que Phong has the first outbreak

The first outbreak detected in Que Phong district was at the family of Ms. Nguyen Thi Lien in hamlet 3, Que Son commune.

Mr. Bui Van Hien - Vice Chairman of Que Phong District People's Committee said: "This morning (June 13), the District People's Committee issued Decision No. 377 to declare African swine fever in Que Son commune because on June 11, in Hamlet 3, Que Son commune, there was a phenomenon of many dead pigs, by June 12, there were mass deaths, the total number was up to 25 pigs and they were destroyed. The district veterinary agency took samples of dead pigs of Ms. Lien's family in Hamlet 3, Que Son commune and the Regional Veterinary Department III had results that the pigs in Que Phong were positive for African swine fever.

Currently, the threatened epidemic area includes Quang Phong, Muong Noc, Tien Phong communes and Kim Son town.

Que Phong district sets up quarantine checkpoints. Photo: Cuong Ba Tho

The first positive sample for African swine fever in Que Phong district: Xuan Hoang

It is known that on the morning of June 12, the Disease Prevention and Control Board of Que Phong district also discovered 4 dead pigs in Tri Le commune and immediately made a record of destruction and sent samples for testing. Currently, they are waiting for the results from the testing center of region 3 to decide on further action.

Que Son Commune, Que Phong District discovered an outbreak of African swine fever on June 12. Photo: Google Maps

Before the epidemic, the district had set up a number of checkpoints on the main roads from Tuong Duong, Ky Son, and Quy Chau into the district. To control the epidemic on a small scale, the district People's Committee will allocate an additional VND 70 million in reserve funds to buy lime powder, chemicals, and other equipment to provide for the communes to prevent the epidemic (previously, the district allocated VND 19 million). This morning (June 13), the district People's Committee announced the African swine fever epidemic in Que Son commune.

Mr. Le Van Giap - Chairman of Que Phong District People's Committee

Yen Thanh is subjective with the epidemic

On June 12, in Yen Thanh district, there were 2 communes that tested positive for African swine fever: Hau Thanh and Thinh Thanh.

The force destroying pigs infected with African swine fever in Dong Phu hamlet, Hau Thanh commune did not wear protective clothing, gloves, and masks, which is not in accordance with veterinary regulations. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Records in Hau Thanh commune on the morning of June 13 showed that at 9:00 a.m., the pig destruction force was carrying out procedures to destroy the remaining 2 pigs of Mr. Le Dinh Viet's family and 3 pigs of Mr. Le Dinh Trung, both in Dong Phu hamlet. However, observations showed that the pig destruction was not in accordance with regulations as recommended by the veterinary agency, that is, the force directly destroying the pigs did not wear protective clothing, gloves, or masks.

As of 9 a.m. on June 13, Hau Thanh commune had not yet set up a checkpoint on the road to Dong Phu hamlet. Photo: Xuan Hoang

At around 9:30 a.m. on June 13, people were still transporting pigs from Hau Thanh commune to Phuc Thanh commune. Photo: Xuan Hoang

At that time, the local government had not yet set up a checkpoint to control the epidemic. Notably, at 9:30 a.m., people were still transporting pigs from Hau Thanh commune to the neighboring commune of Phuc Thanh.

Hau Thanh and Thinh Thanh communes where the African swine fever outbreak occurred on June 12. Photo: Google Maps

On the morning of June 13, the District People's Committee announced African swine fever in Thinh Thanh and Hau Thanh communes. However, this morning, the District Department of Agriculture directed specialized agencies to send staff to the grassroots to coordinate with localities to deploy solutions to prevent and control the epidemic.

Mr. Nguyen Van Duong - Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Yen Thanh district.

In addition, on June 12, Do Luong district recorded Da Son commune testing positive for African swine fever. Thus, Do Luong currently has 2 communes with the epidemic, Trung Son and Da Son; previously, the district People's Committee announced the end of the epidemic in Minh Son commune.

Thus, up to this point, African swine fever has occurred in Nghe An at 872 households in 218 hamlets of 93 communes, 18 districts and towns: Hoang Mai town, Quynh Luu district, Dien Chau, Nghi Loc, Hung Nguyen, Vinh city, Nam Dan, Thanh Chuong, Do Luong, Yen Thanh, Anh Son, Tan Ky, Con Cuong, Tuong Duong, Ky Son, Quy Hop, Quy Chau and Que Phong. Total number of pigs infected with the disease destroyed: 3,418. Total weight: 150,110 kg.