(Baonghean.vn) -Following the guidance document from the Nghe An Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the districts have promptly implemented measures to prevent hunger and cold, established steering committees to inspect the work of preventing hunger, cold, and disease for livestock, and are on standby to report promptly after Tet.

According to reports from three inspection teams and reports from the agricultural departments of 10 mountainous districts, as of January 30, 2012, only Ky Son district reported the death of 3 calves; Quy Hop district reported the death of 2 calves with their mothers; Anh Son district reported the death of 5 animals, including 2 calves with their mothers and 3 old, discarded buffaloes and cows, not due to hunger or cold, so the communes and districts did not report it; other districts remained stable with no losses due to hunger or cold.

Farmers need to take measures to protect their livestock from hunger and cold during cold weather.

Regarding the disease situation, according to the report from the Veterinary Sub-Department: Currently, the outbreaks of swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease, and aquatic animal diseases are stable throughout the province. As for avian influenza, there are 3 households in 2 communes, Lang Thanh and Phu Thanh (Yen Thanh district), where avian influenza outbreaks occurred within the last 21 days. In Hung Nguyen district, on January 25, 2012, one household raising 2-month-old industrial chickens experienced a disease that resulted in the death of 2,407 out of a total flock of 2,500 chickens.

Test results for avian influenza were negative. The Department of Animal Health ordered the animals to be destroyed and disinfected according to regulations. On January 21, 2012 (28th day of the Lunar New Year), the Tuong Duong Veterinary Station inspected Hat and Huoi Pai villages (Yen Tinh commune) and found 11 buffaloes and cows infected with hemorrhagic septicemia. Of these, 3 were detected early and treated promptly by the villagers, while 8 died (6 buffaloes, 2 cows). From January 26, 2012 (4th day of the Lunar New Year) until now, the hemorrhagic septicemia situation in buffaloes and cows has been stable. In Yen Thanh district, during the Lunar New Year, 785 pigs (including piglets, sows, and market pigs) were infected with diarrhea in almost all communes throughout the district (39 communes). Local veterinary stations provided treatment, and the animals are now stable.

Mr. Luu Cong Hoa - Head of the Livestock Department (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) advised: Currently, the situation regarding hunger and cold for livestock is basically stable. However, if the weather continues to deteriorate for another week,Cattle and buffalo are likely to be affected. Therefore, people need to cover their barns, keep cattle and buffalo confined, and stockpile feed. If necessary, they should light fires at night to keep the livestock warm.

Viet Phuong