Quynh Luu: African swine fever recurs rapidly, some farms are wiped out
(Baonghean.vn) - The African swine fever situation is complicated and has been spreading for a long time in many localities in Quynh Luu district. Up to now, 21 communes in Quynh Luu have the disease, many of which have had the disease recur for the second and third time, with a total weight of nearly 80 tons destroyed.
Quynh Lam is one of the 7 communes where African swine fever recurred for the second time and wiped out a pig farm of Mr. Vu Van Ngan's family in hamlet 13. 2 days ago, Mr. Ngan coordinated with the functional forces of the district and commune to destroy 7 sows, 19 pigs and 12 piglets with their mother of the family, with a total weight of 2,159 kg, causing a loss of nearly 100 million VND.
He said: after seeing some pigs with red eyes, pink skin and fever, but thinking that the livestock just had a common cold, he went to get medicine to inject. After that, the pigs ate normally but died 2 days later. At this time, the family informed the district and commune veterinary staff to take samples for testing, the results were positive for African swine fever.
 |
| The epidemic wiped out the pig farm of Mr. Vu Van Ngan's family in hamlet 13, Quynh Lam commune, causing hundreds of millions of dong in damage. Photo: Hong Dien |
Quynh Lam commune currently has 600 pigs in 35 farms and some small-scale households. During the second outbreak in the commune on September 9, it was mainly concentrated in hamlets 13, 14, and 15 and 2,561 kg of pigs were destroyed. Currently, in addition to 1 farm whose herd was wiped out, 3 farms with sick pigs are being sent for testing by the local authorities.
Ms. Tran Thi Tan - Veterinary officer of Quynh Lam commune said: In the face of the risk of the disease spreading widely, the locality has set up 5 checkpoints to spray disinfectant when vehicles pass through. At the same time, the farm area is cordoned off to assign forces such as police and members of the political system to be on duty 24/7 to prevent households from trading and transporting pigs in and out of the area. In addition, the commune has purchased 3 tons of lime powder and received 27 liters of chemicals from the district Veterinary Station to provide to households to destroy pathogens.
 |
| The total number of pigs culled in Quynh Luu district since the beginning of the year is 1,455. Photo: Hong Dien |
As of September 15, Quynh Luu district has 21 communes with the epidemic, of which 11 communes have not passed 30 days. The total number of pigs culled since the beginning of the year is 1,455. The district People's Committee has allocated hundreds of millions of VND in reserve funds to buy nearly 500 liters of chemicals, 84 tons of lime powder, 10 electric pumps, 35 hand pumps, protective clothing, gloves, etc.
 |
| Map of African swine fever epidemic area in Quynh Luu district. Graphics: Lam Tung |
In addition, the district has received 3,700 liters of chemicals from the province to distribute to communes to serve the epidemic prevention work. At the same time, 4 checkpoints have been set up on National Highways 48B and 48E and 35 checkpoints in communes with the epidemic. However, in Quynh Luu, African swine fever is still very complicated, with a high risk of new outbreaks.
The cause was determined to be due to the large area, adjacent to many key traffic routes, making it difficult to control the transportation of pigs and pig products. Furthermore, many livestock farmers have not fully complied with the process from disinfecting the livestock environment, tools, and vehicles, to collecting leftover food for pigs that has not been heat treated.
 |
| Localities are actively blocking and disinfecting vehicles entering and leaving epidemic areas. Photo: Hong Dien |
Currently, Quynh Luu district is directing relevant departments and units to closely monitor the epidemic situation in order to respond promptly when a situation occurs.
For party committees, authorities and the entire political system at all levels, it is necessary to follow the motto "prevention is the key" and "fighting the epidemic like fighting the enemy" to achieve the best results.
“The District People's Committee is proactively and actively controlling African swine fever, by organizing meetings to assign responsibilities to communes to regularly inspect, monitor and supply additional materials, lime powder and chemicals to each locality."
