Nghe An: African swine fever control checkpoints strain under the hot sun

Members of the quarantine checkpoint on Provincial Road 545 perform their duties in the heat of 35 - 36 degrees Celsius. Photo: Ho Phuong

Since that day, all vehicles entering and leaving the hamlet have been thoroughly inspected to control the transportation of pigs in and out of the area. Cars entering and leaving the area have been sprayed with disinfectant. The checkpoints have been assigned people to be on duty 24/7 with the participation of 3 departments: veterinary, military and commune police.

Vehicles entering and exiting the area are strictly controlled. Photo: Ho Phuong

Mr. Bui Van Binh, a member of the checkpoint on Provincial Road 545 through Nghia Dong Commune, said that every day, the number of vehicles traveling on the route is very large. Therefore, the quarantine teams encountered many difficulties when stopping vehicles to spray disinfectants while the weather in recent days has been hot, with noon temperatures around 35 - 36 degrees.⁰C.

Mr. Cao Xuan Dien (veterinary officer of Nghia Dong commune), the commander of the shift on duty at hamlet 1, said that livestock farmers in the hamlet as well as neighboring areas are very concerned about the situation and developments of African swine fever, but they are also quite proactive in preventing and fighting the disease. "People are aware of the danger of the disease but are not too worried," Mr. Dien added.

Mr. Tu Manh Hung's pigsty is sealed and sprinkled with lime powder. Photo: Ho Phuong

Mr. Tu Manh Hung has a pig pen right next to the main road through Hamlet 1. Lime powder is sprinkled around the pigsty. He said that since the outbreak in the area, his family has sprayed pesticides and cleaned the pigsty every few days. He also does not allow anyone to approach the pigsty, including reporters who film and take photos.

Mr. Hung said he had taken preventive measures even before the outbreak in the province. Without waiting for veterinary officers to provide medicine, he bought it himself. "We have to take the initiative to protect our property. My whole family depends on this herd of pigs," Mr. Hung said.

Not far away, Ms. Truong Thi Diep, who has also raised pigs for more than 20 years, said that her family currently has 8 pigs weighing over 80kg but cannot sell them. "We cannot sell the pigs because we are in the quarantine period for African swine fever. I, like other pig farmers in the village, believe that the epidemic will end and pig farming will return to normal," Ms. Diep shared.

The barn where 8 pigs tested positive for African swine fever virus of Mr. Nguyen Van Dung's family. Photo: Ho Phuong

Currently, there are no more pigs testing positive for African swine fever in Tan Ky district, but quarantine checkpoints in Nghia Dong commune are still operating actively. In addition, neighboring communes such as Nghia Hop and Tan Phu are also maintaining checkpoints.