African swine fever has re-emerged in several mountainous communes in Nghe An province.

According to statistics from Mon Son and Con Cuong communes, since the beginning of July, 24 outbreaks have been recorded, with a total of 500 pigs infected and subsequently culled. The majority of affected households are small-scale farmers with limited hygiene and disease control capabilities. In Mon Son commune alone, 18 outbreaks have been detected, resulting in the culling of nearly 400 pigs.

Mr. Ngo Dang Trung from Cua Rao village, Mon Son commune, said: "When the pigs stopped eating, I immediately reported it to the commune's veterinary service. It's a great pity, but when the officials came to dispose of them, I complied right away. Now I have to disinfect regularly and wait for support from the commune."

As soon as information about the outbreak was received, the local authorities immediately activated the Steering Committee for Disease Prevention and Control, implementing emergency measures such as quarantining the affected area, destroying infected pigs, spraying disinfectants, and temporarily suspending the buying, selling, and transportation of pigs into and out of the affected area.

Mr. Vi Van Truong, Head of the Economic Department of Mon Son commune, said: “We have assigned veterinary officers to high-risk villages to strengthen monitoring and strictly inspect transportation and slaughtering activities. People are also advised not to conceal the disease or sell sick pigs.”

Public awareness campaigns were given special attention, helping people to recognize early signs of the disease and cooperate with authorities in reporting and handling outbreaks.

The outbreak was not limited to Mon Son commune; in less than two weeks, the disease continued to appear in villages and hamlets throughout Con Cuong commune, including Tan Dan, Trung Chinh, Trung Huong, and Thuy Khe. Local authorities have culled 60 pigs.

In particular, the family of Ms. Than Thi Bich in Trung Huong village had 9 pigs ready for slaughter, but upon discovering they were sick, she reported it to the authorities and had the entire herd destroyed.

Ms. Than Thi Bich said: "Initially, when I heard about the African swine fever outbreak, I was very worried because I had nine pigs ready for slaughter. When I discovered one pig was infected, I reported it to the village, and the village reported it to the commune for verification and agreed to destroy the entire herd."

Immediately after the outbreak was detected, the People's Committee of Con Cuong commune held an emergency meeting with the Steering Committee for the Prevention and Control of Livestock and Poultry Diseases, proposing urgent measures such as establishing temporary quarantine checkpoints, spraying disinfectants throughout the affected area and high-risk zones. Simultaneously, the culling of infected livestock and financial assistance for affected residents were implemented. All buying, selling, and transportation of livestock into and out of the affected area were prohibited for 21 days. Commune officials also visited each village, hamlet, and household to disseminate information and guide livestock farmers on recognizing disease signs and preventive measures.

Mr. Cao Tien Thinh, Head of the Economic Department of Con Cuong commune, said: "With the motto of rapid detection, precise containment, and thorough handling, the commune government closely coordinates with neighboring communes to share information, monitor inter-regional disease outbreaks, and agree on synchronized measures."

Although African swine fever is dangerous, it is entirely controllable if preventive measures are strictly implemented. The proactive approach of local authorities, the vigilance and cooperation of the people are the decisive factors in gradually pushing back the disease, protecting livestock, and stabilizing the livelihoods of farmers.