More information about the African swine fever outbreak in Ky Son that killed hundreds of black pigs

Mr. Hoa Pho Tuyet's family, like many other households in Vang Phao village, Muong Tip border commune, Ky Son district, often raises livestock freely, without solid barns.

According to Mr. Tuyet, his family raised 7 native black pigs, including a new piglet that gave birth to more than 10 piglets. However, in the middle of last week, 3 of his family's 7 pigs suddenly stopped eating and died, the remaining 4 also showed signs of illness, making him worried.

African swine fever broke out and spread, killing 128 pigs in Muong Tip commune. Photo: Lu Phu

According to preliminary statistics from the People's Committee of Muong Tip border commune, as of the end of May 21, African swine fever appeared in 6/10 villages in the commune, killing 128 pigs, many of which stopped eating.

The villages with the epidemic spreading and spreading strongly include: Ta Do, Xop Phe, Vang Phao, Na Mi, Xop Tip and Cha Lat. Due to the habit of letting livestock roam freely, when the epidemic occurred, it spread very quickly.

Immediately after testing positive for African swine fever virus, departments and branches of Ky Son district were present at the epidemic site to guide and direct communes and people to prevent the epidemic. Photo: Lu Phu

According to Mr. Ha Ba Thai - Chairman of Muong Tip Commune People's Committee: "Initially, there was a phenomenon of mass pig deaths in Ta Do village, then it spread to the inner villages. African swine fever spread very quickly, within just 5 days, a large number of pigs died, making the people and the commune government worried. When the epidemic first appeared, the commune could not come up with a specific and effective prevention plan, but with many measures, we prohibited people from slaughtering and selling pigs."

Through testing by the Veterinary Department of Region 3, 4/4 pig samples in Muong Tip commune were positive for African swine fever, but in reality, many pigs died. In recent days, the phenomenon of pig deaths has not only occurred in Muong Tip commune, but also in Muong Ai, Huu Kiem and Bao Thang communes.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Hieu - Head of Ky Son District Veterinary Station

According to updated data as of the end of May 21, the number of dead pigs in Muong Ai was 44, Bao Thang was 10 and Huu Kiem was 17. Veterinary agencies have taken samples for testing and instructed people to destroy the dead pigs.