Hung Nguyen provides 400 liters of chemicals to spray to prevent African swine fever

Pig farmers in Hung Tay commune (Hung Nguyen) increase vitamin-rich feed to increase pigs' resistance. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Mr. Hoang Van Hien's family in Khoa Da 1 hamlet, Hung Tay commune (Hung Nguyen) regularly raises 30-35 pigs. Faced with the complicated epidemic situation, he proactively reduced the herd by half, regularly cleaned the barn, bought lime to spread around the garden and sprayed disinfectants according to the instructions of the commune veterinary staff.

Mr. Hien said: "Raising pigs is the main source of income for the family. If an epidemic breaks out, the first to suffer are the owners of the farms. Therefore, when we received information about the epidemic, we proactively bought 200kg of lime powder to spread, bought medicine to spray, and cooked the pigs' food. In particular, the hygiene of the barns is always a top priority. The doors of the farming area are closed, and only family members are allowed to enter and exit the barns."

According to Ms. Pham Thi Hoc - a veterinary officer of Hung Tay commune, the whole commune currently has a herd of about 500 pigs, most of which are raised on family farms, with each household having 10 - 15 pigs. The main source of food for pigs is the waste water from restaurants in the area and Vinh city, so the risk of disease infection is quite high.

Faced with that situation, the commune focused on propaganda and raising people's awareness in disease prevention; established a steering committee to go down to hamlets to encourage livestock farming households and slaughterhouses not to buy and sell sick pigs or pigs of unknown origin. At the same time, strengthen monitoring and control of herds, promptly detect and report sick pigs...

Veterinary staff went to households to instruct people on how to mix disinfectants. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Hung Nguyen borders many districts, has Vinh bypass road, National Highway 46 running through, the traffic of vehicles transporting pigs through the district is quite large, therefore, the risk of disease infection in livestock is very high if there are no effective preventive measures.

Faced with the complicated epidemic situation, the district has established a steering committee, assigned members and commune officials to directly monitor and urge localities to implement disease prevention measures. The district also directed communes and towns to coordinate with functional agencies to review and count the number of pigs, and make detailed plans for situations when an epidemic occurs.

Currently, Hung Nguyen has completed spraying disinfectants in 23/23 communes and towns. Photo: Thanh Phuc

At the same time, propagate and mobilize households to improve sanitation of barns and register for vaccination of pigs; strengthen coordination between sectors in slaughter control.

Hung Nguyen allocated the budget to buy 400 liters of chemicals for the communes to spray disinfectants on livestock farms, main roads and traditional markets. On the other hand, to prevent people from panicking when accessing information about the epidemic, the district printed leaflets and broadcast them on the village radio system... to propagate about the epidemic, signs of diseased pork, and what to do when an epidemic occurs.

Cleaning of barns has been enhanced. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Ms. Ba Thi Dung - Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Hung Nguyen district said: Implementing the direction of the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the District People's Committee has issued an urgent telegram focusing on directing the drastic implementation of measures to control African swine fever in the area; issued plan No. 52 on actions to prevent and respond urgently to African swine fever; strengthened supervision and control of pig transportation and slaughter in the area. Completed disinfection spraying and vaccination against common diseases for pigs in 23/23 communes and towns.

Thanh Phuc