Strengthen measures to prevent avian influenza

(Baonghean.vn) - Yen Thanh District (Nghe An) is focusing on synchronously implementing many solutions in disease prevention and livestock protection.

Many livestock farmers organize disease prevention measures. Sprinkling lime powder in and around livestock areas is one of those solutions. Photo: Thai Duong

Before Tet, Mr. Vu Khac Thu's family in Dong Lai hamlet, Phu Thanh commune (Yen Thanh) sold 3,000 commercial ducks, and currently has 7,300 ducks being raised on a 5-hectare farm. Determining the large investment capital, and this is also the main source of income, disease prevention is always the top priority of his family.

Mr. Vu Khac Thu said: "The most feared disease in animal husbandry is the H5N1 bird flu, so vaccination is done every 6 months, but when the surrounding area is threatened by an epidemic, a booster shot must be given every 3 months. In addition, disinfection must be sprayed twice a week and lime powder must be sprinkled to clean the barns."

Veterinary staff instruct livestock farmers on how to mix the solution when spraying disinfectant. Photo: Hong Nhung

In Nam Thanh, one of the communes where poultry and waterfowl farming have developed stably, accounting for 46% of agricultural production. Currently, the whole commune has 69,000 chickens and ducks, including 12,000 native ducks, mainly concentrated in 13 households' farms. In the face of the complicated situation of avian influenza in some localities in the province, the People's Committee of the commune is actively propagating, especially guiding concentrated farm owners to comply with the barn treatment process, proactively implementing good disease prevention work.

With the erratic weather, high humidity is a favorable condition for pathogens to develop. In particular, most of the re-herded poultry and waterfowl have not been vaccinated; the transportation and trading of poultry and small-scale poultry and waterfowl products are difficult to control, leading to a high risk of disease outbreaks. Therefore, in addition to strengthening the Steering Committee for Disease Prevention in livestock, Yen Thanh district is focusing on promoting information and propaganda work on the dangerous nature of the avian influenza virus strains A/H5N1; A/H5N6; strengthening surveillance, rapid detection and handling of small-scale outbreaks.

Commercial livestock farming is developed by many households in Yen Thanh. Photo: Thai Duong

The district's livestock and veterinary sectors coordinate with local authorities to disinfect areas that are often threatened by epidemics, buffer zones, and focus on areas at high risk of infection. At the same time, livestock farmers are advised to ensure nutrition for their livestock to improve their resistance, and proactively vaccinate their livestock against avian influenza.

Mr. Pham Tuan Hai - Deputy Head of the Yen Thanh District Veterinary Station said: In the face of the complicated developments of the avian epidemic, the station coordinated with the Department of Agriculture to advise the District People's Committee to issue a telegram and plans for disease prevention in the winter-spring crop. The station also issued notices and instructions for local veterinary staff and livestock households to strictly implement regulations on disease prevention such as: when seeing sick or dead poultry or waterfowl, immediately report to the experts, absolutely do not hide the epidemic; do not eat food from sick or dead poultry or waterfowl; do not throw poultry or waterfowl carcasses into the environment; do not sell livestock when there are signs of illness.

Spraying disinfectants on barns and vaccination after re-introduction are important solutions to prevent epidemics. Photo: Thai Duong

For households when importing a herd, they must clean the barn, spray disinfectant and leave the barn empty for 15-20 days; for breeding animals, the origin must be clear and the vaccination schedule must be strictly followed according to the veterinary law.

In preventing epidemics in livestock, the participation of farm owners, farms, and livestock households is the most important factor, only then can economic losses be minimized and public health and safety be protected.

Thai Duong - Hong Nhung