Buffaloes and cows infected with lumpy skin disease are roaming freely everywhere.

According to the reporter's records, on the morning of April 23, on the dikeTa LamAlong the communes of Hung Loi, Hung Phuc, Chau Nhan... of Hung Nguyen district, many herds of buffalo and cows appear grazing on the dike, without anyone herding them.

Cows infected with lumpy skin disease were left to roam freely on the Ta Lam dike, through hamlet 1, Hung Loi commune on the morning of April 23. Photo: QA

It is worth mentioning that some cows in the herd have been infected with a severe case of lumpy skin disease, with hundreds of large and small lumps and ulcers on their bodies, along with cows that have not been infected, causing the disease to spread rapidly. Not to mention that around the area where the cows graze, there are many insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, and gnats... which are intermediate species causing the disease.

It is known that the districtHung NguyenLumpy skin disease has appeared in 16/18 communes and Hung Loi commune is one of the localities with the highest number of outbreaks, with the disease appearing in almost all hamlets. However, the release of infected buffaloes and cows into the environment in this locality is still not strictly controlled, making the disease even more difficult to control.

Some cows were seriously ill, with sores all over their bodies, but were not locked up for treatment but released into the grazing area. Photo: QA

Mr. Phan Huu Dao - Chairman of the Commune People's CommitteeHung Loisaid: "We have propagated on loudspeakers, directed hamlets to advise people not to let buffaloes and cows roam freely in the environment but to keep them in captivity for care and treatment. However, some households outside the dike still violate the law. The locality will increase inspection and handle these households."

Not only in Hung Nguyen district but also in Vinh city, the lumpy skin disease epidemic has spread rapidly, all the suburban communes of Vinh that raise buffalo and cows have been affected. However, according to the reporter's observations, the situation of letting buffalo and cows roam freely in the epidemic area still occurs frequently, especially in the communes of Hung Hoa, Hung Loc, Nghi Phu, Nghi Duc... There are even many herds of cows walking freely on the inner-city roads.

The situation of buffaloes and cows being left unattended on the streets of Vinh City increases the risk of disease spreading. Photo: QA

Mr. Vo Thanh Nha - Vice Chairman of the Commune People's CommitteeNghi Phusaid: "Every year, the locality has also punished hundreds of cases of letting buffaloes and cows roam freely on the streets and in residential areas. In the context of the outbreak of lumpy skin disease, we have also increased our forces to handle this situation. However, the current penalty for letting buffaloes and cows roam freely is at a low level (only from 60,000 - 100,000 VND), so it is difficult to have enough deterrence in the long term...".

According to statistics, Vinh City currently has 10 wards and communes with lumpy skin disease in buffaloes and cows in 98 households, 38 hamlets, spreading rapidly. The total number of infected cattle is 139, including 126 cows and 13 calves. Of these, 5 have died and had to be destroyed with a total weight of 876 kg.

Authorities recommend that people in epidemic areas keep cattle and buffalo in captivity and not let them roam freely to prevent the spread of the disease. Photo: QA

Letting buffaloes and cows roam free without a herder is a taboo when an epidemic occurs. We have sent official dispatches to wards and communes to instruct livestock households to keep buffaloes and cows in captivity during this period. However, some localities are still indifferent and have not strictly punished this issue, so the situation of letting buffaloes and cows roam free in epidemic areas still occurs in some places in the city.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Duc - Director of Vinh City Agricultural Service Center