Risk of African swine fever outbreak re-emergence after floods in Nghe An.
(Baonghean.vn) - While African swine fever is recurring in many localities, floods have inundated many areas, causing the disease to spread widely.
The epidemic continues to recur.
Nam Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district) is a locality where the disease has re-emerged.African swine feverSince the beginning of October, the outbreak has occurred in the two hamlets of Hop Thanh and Tay Ho. Therefore, after this flood, the risk of a resurgence of the disease is very high.
According to Mr. Hoang Van Ha, Chairman of the People's Committee of Nam Thanh commune, during the recent floods, three hamlets in the locality were submerged, including Tay Ho hamlet, which is currently experiencing an African swine fever outbreak and was severely flooded.
Recognizing that the African swine fever pathogen exists in the environment and poses a risk of widespread transmission, immediately after the floodwaters receded, Nam Thanh commune organized the dredging of drainage canals and carried out disinfection, especially in the livestock breeding areas of households. At the same time, the commune encouraged and mobilized people to buy additional lime powder, mix it with water, and sprinkle it around the livestock pens and entrances.
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| Residents of Nam Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district) mix lime with water to disinfect the environment after the flood, preventing disease outbreaks among their pigs. Photo: Xuan Hoang |
In case of sick pigs, promptly report to the hamlet and commune authorities for timely handling. However, since the floodwaters receded, the disease has re-emerged in another household in Tay Ho hamlet, specifically Mrs. Nguyen Thi Van's household, where one pig was infected. Thus, currently, there are 4 households in the commune experiencing a resurgence of African swine fever.
According to data from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Yen Thanh district, African swine fever has not only not slowed down but is showing signs of spreading further after the recent floods. From 4 communes affected before the floods, the number has now increased to 7 communes: Nam Thanh, Do Thanh, Khanh Thanh, Cong Thanh, Minh Thanh, Vien Thanh, and Vinh Thanh.
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| A dead pig, washed ashore after the recent floods, lies beside National Highway 7, in Cong Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district (photo taken on the afternoon of November 6, 2020). Photo: Xuan Hoang |
Dien Chau DistrictOn November 8th, in Dien Hai commune, more pigs fell ill and died, and veterinary authorities have confirmed positive test results for African swine fever.
According to Mr. Le The Hieu, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Dien Chau district, after the recent floods, Dien Hai commune in Dien Chau district has experienced a resurgence of the disease, bringing the total number of affected communes to three: Minh Chau, Dien Kim, and Dien Hai. Livestock farmers are actively rebuilding their herds, but the disease has re-emerged in many areas, coupled with widespread flooding, thus increasing the risk of pig infections in the coming period.”
Proactive disease prevention
After the floods, people in the flooded areas are already facing numerous difficulties, and the prospect of livestock disease outbreaks is a cause for serious concern.
The recent floods severely affected many localities, including several communes and districts where African swine fever is currently spreading: Hung Nguyen, Nghi Loc, Yen Thanh, Dien Chau, Vinh City, etc. Therefore, the risk of a post-flood outbreak is very high. This is because the pathogens in the pigs' bodies are excreted through feces or carcasses floating everywhere, dispersed by water sources, making it impossible to control. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine predicts that the disease will continue to re-emerge in many localities, making it very difficult to control.
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| Pigs died in Hung Nguyen after the storm; authorities have proceeded with their disposal. Photo: Quang An |
According to data from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, as of November 9th, Nghe An province still has 30 communes in 12 districts and cities affected by African swine fever, including: Ky Son, Tuong Duong, Do Luong, Thanh Chuong, Hung Nguyen, Nghi Loc, Dien Chau, Yen Thanh, Que Phong, Quy Hop and Vinh City.
To effectively prevent disease outbreaks, Mr. Ngo Duc Quynh advises: After the flood, people should not collect vegetables, aquatic plants, etc., from rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, and canals to feed their pigs; if they do, they must wash them thoroughly and cook them. Do not use pond water to clean livestock pens…
At the same time, localities and livestock farmers are implementing vaccination programs to strengthen the pigs' immunity; and thoroughly disinfecting residential areas and livestock farms.
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| To ensure the safety of their pig herds, farmers must implement disease prevention measures. If an outbreak occurs again, it will negatively impact the entire livestock industry. (Photo: Xuan Hoang) |
In the pig pens, farmers should spread a layer of lime powder and spray disinfectant chemicals. Those buying piglets for breeding should purchase them from reputable sources and avoid buying from itinerant vendors. In particular, people in mountainous areas should not buy pork from itinerant vendors, as the origin of the pork is unclear, and with outbreaks of the disease recurring in many places, people are likely to sell their pigs quickly.
African swine fever has been ongoing since the beginning of 2019. While there were periods of calm in early 2020, it re-emerged from September onwards, leaving many households penniless after investing in restocking their herds. Therefore, strict implementation of disease prevention and control measures by local authorities and livestock farmers is crucial. A renewed outbreak would negatively impact the livestock industry, leading to a resurgence in pork prices.
