Nghe An strengthens disease prevention measures for livestock during the year-end period.

Protecting livestock from the cold and preventing disease outbreaks.

A recent incident occurred in Con Cuong district.African swine feverIn Trung Huong village, Yen Khe commune, one pig died. Mr. Le Trung Loi, Vice Chairman of the Yen Khe Commune People's Committee, said that after discovering the outbreak in Trung Huong village, the commune directed the village committee to guide residents to quickly isolate and contain the disease. At the same time, they notified all villages to strictly prohibit the buying and selling of pork within the commune until the outbreak is over. Livestock farmers are strictly implementing disinfection and sterilization measures to prevent disease in their herds.

Farmers need to spray disinfectant chemicals in pig farming areas to prevent disease outbreaks. Photo: Xuan Hoang

According to Mr. Lo Van Ly, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of the district.Con CuongIn recent years, African swine fever has affected the development of the pig herd in the district, making restocking difficult due to a shortage of breeding stock and the risk of the disease still lurking. To ensure food security for the people during the year-end period, the district has directed local authorities to intensify public awareness campaigns on disease prevention and control in livestock; and to promptly detect outbreaks in livestock to implement containment measures within a limited area.

“Currently, there are no outbreaks of disease among livestock in Con Cuong district, but the potential for disease outbreaks remains high because former African swine fever outbreak sites are still at risk of recurrence. Therefore, in addition to disease prevention and control, the district is also directing localities to disseminate information and guide farmers in implementing measures to protect livestock from hunger and cold,” said Mr. Lo Van Ly.

Environmental management inside and outside livestock farming areas is crucial for preventing and controlling diseases in livestock. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Dien Chau district has many slaughterhouses and transportation points for livestock and poultry, therefore the risk of animal diseases is always high, especially African swine fever and H5N1 avian influenza, lumpy skin disease in buffaloes and cattle, etc.

Mr. Le The Hieu, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Dien Chau district, said that along with preventing hunger and cold for livestock, the district is focusing on implementing solutions to prevent and control animal diseases. During the end of the year, especially leading up to the Lunar New Year, people slaughter many pigs, cows, and chickens, so the risk of disease outbreaks is high. Therefore, regular public awareness campaigns are necessary, along with spraying disinfectant chemicals at centralized slaughtering sites.

Implementing solutions for epidemic prevention and control.

Currently, African swine fever is still occurring sporadically in some small-scale livestock farms; in particular, in November, several outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza occurred in Hung Nguyen district and Vinh City. Therefore, the risk of disease outbreaks in livestock herds at the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023 is very high.

In early December, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee issued Directive No. 32-CT-UBND on strengthening the work.animal disease prevention and controlin late 2022 and early 2023.

Veterinarians in the highlands vaccinate livestock. Photo: Q.An

Accordingly, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested the Chairmen of the People's Committees of districts, towns, and cities, and the directors and heads of relevant departments and agencies to implement comprehensive measures to prevent and control animal diseases: Districts, cities, and towns should urgently finalize the approval and allocation of funds to proactively and effectively implement the local animal disease prevention and control plan for 2023 and other animal disease prevention and control plans approved by the province. Review and organize vaccination against dangerous diseases in livestock: avian influenza, lumpy skin disease, rabies, foot-and-mouth disease, etc., ensuring that the vaccination rate reaches over 80% of the total herd.

For localities that currently haveavian influenza outbreakRegarding African swine fever, focus on directing and mobilizing human and material resources to contain and decisively eliminate outbreaks within a limited area. Strengthen control over the slaughter and transportation of animals and animal products… Organize and implement comprehensive sanitation, disinfection, and decontamination of the environment to eliminate pathogens, especially in localities that have had or are currently experiencing outbreaks, and in high-risk areas…

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development established working groups to organize guidance, supervision, and inspection of disease prevention and control for livestock, poultry, and aquaculture, especially vaccination efforts. Relevant departments and agencies inspected and urged localities to promptly strengthen the commune-level veterinary system, ensuring the required quantity and quality to carry out livestock and veterinary tasks in their areas.

Xuan Hoang