African swine fever prevention: People "not on duty" are prohibited from entering livestock areas

Identify the cause

Looking back at the outbreaks that occurred in Nghe An province, it can be seen that there were 4 outbreaks at small-scale livestock farms and 2 outbreaks at home farms. Through investigation, it was found that these families did not pay attention to disease prevention.

When outsiders enter the livestock area, they must wear protective clothing and disinfect their shoes. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Mr. Nguyen Quang Ngan, the owner of a pig farm infected with African swine fever in Hamlet 10, Nam Nghia Commune (Nam Dan) is an example. After his pigs were infected with African swine fever, Mr. Ngan said that the cause of his pigs being infected with the disease could be due to the spread of the disease through food sources. Because before that time, Mr. Ngan went to Vinh City to collect leftover food from some restaurants and brought it back to feed the pigs.

Or the case of the outbreak in the pig herd of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thuy in Hamlet 8, Quynh My Commune (Quynh Luu). According to Mr. Ho Van Thuong, Mrs. Thuy's son, he had previously bought some bags of industrial feed from the store to feed the pigs. In addition, in reality, the sanitation of the barn was not guaranteed.

Or the outbreak at Mr. Nguyen Van Dung's household in Hamlet 1, Nghia Dong Commune (Tan Ky), through investigation, it was known that more than a month ago, he and his wife went to Ninh Binh province to visit, at that time African swine fever was spreading in some northern provinces. Therefore, according to Mr. Dung and his wife's assessment, his pigs may have been infected with the disease from that cause.

The most recent outbreak was at the pig farm of Mr. Nguyen Van Hoa in Long Minh hamlet, Minh Son commune (Do Luong). Through investigation, it was found that the cause could be that about 15 days ago, two traders who specialized in buying pigs came to his farm; in addition, in recent days, Mr. Hoa imported industrial feed for pigs. Therefore, it is possible that African swine fever spread from the two people who bought pigs, or from industrial feed.

Strict epidemic prevention at pig farm entrance

From that reality, Mr. Nguyen Van Lap - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said: Investing in pig farming in the form of farms and households requires families to invest a lot to buy breeds, feed... If African swine fever occurs, it will cause great damage to the farm owner's economy, not only that, it is very easy for the epidemic to break out in the area.

Therefore, during the complicated developments of African swine fever, pig farmers should limit contact with the outside world to avoid spreading the disease through clothes and shoes; and should also avoid going to the outbreak area.

For farm and ranch owners, it is necessary to implement disease prevention measures such as: making a disinfection pit in front of the barn gate, wearing protective gear before entering the barn; absolutely no socializing, "unauthorized" people are absolutely not allowed to step into the livestock area. When necessary, outsiders must wear protective gear, boots and perform disinfection steps.

Spraying disinfectants regularly will prevent disease in pigs. Photo: Xuan Hoang

"Industrial feed needs to be sprayed with chemicals on the packaging before being transported to the farm. Because cars travel through many localities and pig farms, it is very easy for African swine fever to spread here. At the same time, vaccinate the pigs against other diseases to keep them healthy and have high resistance; in addition, regularly clean the barns and spray disinfectants periodically."

GrandfatherNguyen Van Lap- Deputy Director of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Xuan Hoang