Anh Son district sets up 36 checkpoints to control African swine fever

Anh Son district is currently one of the localities with complicated developments of African swine fever in Nghe An province. Therefore, disease prevention work is always the top concern of local authorities and people.

Regarding the communes where African swine fever is currently occurring in Anh Son district such as Linh Son, Cao Son, Thach Son, Phuc Son... it is not difficult to see quarantine checkpoints set up on village roads, at the checkpoints there are always village cadres, militia, and police officers on duty.

In Linh Son commune, 4/8 hamlets are currently infected with African swine fever. The total pig herd in the commune is nearly 3,200, however, the number of infected and culled pigs is currently only 48, a low rate. This result is largely due to the locality's strict implementation of epidemic prevention work.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tai - Vice Chairman of Linh Son Commune People's Committee said: Since the outbreak of African swine fever, the commune has propagated through many forms on media, social networks, and loudspeakers so that people can proactively prevent the epidemic. All dead sick pigs are destroyed according to the correct procedure with full lime powder, chemicals, and burial locations at appropriate distances. In particular, the commune has set up 8 quarantine checkpoints in 4 hamlets with the epidemic, with forces on duty 24/24 hours, ensuring that sick pigs cannot escape.

At the quarantine checkpoints, the authorities followed the instructions. First, they spread out a tarpaulin with a length and width suitable for the roadway, enough for a wheel to pass through and adhere to the chemicals. The tarpaulin was filled with lime powder mixed with straw and sawdust, and water was added to create humidity. There were metal barriers or bamboo poles, reeds, etc. Using this method, people entering and leaving the epidemic area would be controlled, pathogens would be eliminated, and the spread would be prevented.

In addition, at all checkpoints, there is a notebook recording the day of duty, clearly stating the time, location, assigned person, number of times trucks, motorbikes, and goods on the vehicle are checked, ensuring clarity and not letting sick pigs escape.

Not only in Linh Son commune, but also in 11 epidemic outbreaks in 11 communes in Anh Son district, there are currently disease control checkpoints. According to statistics, the whole district is setting up 36 checkpoints with full force and equipment, determined to control the epidemic as soon as possible.

Mr. Hoang Xuan Cuong - Vice Chairman of Anh Son District People's Committee said: Disease prevention is the top concern of the locality, especially during the Tet holiday, good control of the disease will ensure the total herd for the people, maintain income as well as protect consumers.

The district also directed communes to concentrate all resources to completely handle outbreaks, not to let the epidemic spread, prolong and cause new outbreaks. Localities should propagate to people to proactively prevent animal diseases, not to hide the epidemic, not to sell, slaughter, or dump the carcasses of sick or suspected sick animals into the environment; and resolutely handle violations according to regulations.

According to statistics, Anh Son district has over 65,000 pigs, the whole district has 10 livestock farms (2 large-scale farms, 8 medium-scale farms). Since the beginning of the year, African swine fever has occurred in 14 outbreaks in 14 communes in Anh Son district, the total number of pigs destroyed: 3,657, with a total weight of over 208 tons.

Currently, Anh Son district has 11 outbreaks that have not passed 21 days, with 3,479 sick and dead pigs being destroyed, with a total weight of 197 tons. The outbreaks have occurred since mid-October and early November until now.