The prevalence rate of swine fever virus in Nghe An is 11%.

(Baonghean)According to the results of proactive monitoring by the Regional Veterinary Agency III on the circulation of African swine fever, serum sample analysis showed that in Ha Tinh, the prevalence rate of African swine fever virus reached 40%, and in Nghe An it was 11%.

Following the outbreak of African swine fever in pigs in Hung My commune (Hung Nguyen district) on October 20th, necessary disease prevention and control measures have been implemented. Mr. Nghiem Xuan Bao, head of the district's veterinary station, stated: “To date, the district has completed the vaccination of 2,000 doses of vaccine in Hung My commune and surrounding villages threatened by the disease, and culled an additional 9 pigs that developed symptoms after vaccination. We require households whose pigs were culled to immediately dispose of all remaining feed and absolutely not transfer it to other households. In the threatened areas, we are regularly monitoring pig herds, especially in areas where farmers use water from the Hoang Can canal, and controlling transportation. Simultaneously, we are mobilizing the entire district to conduct a thorough cleaning of village roads and alleys; farming families are encouraged to clean up and compost manure using thermobiological methods to eliminate pathogens.”

Vaccination against blue ear disease for pigs in Hamlet 7, Hung My Commune (Hung Nguyen District).

The pattern of outbreaks of African swine fever is typically every 2-3 years. In 2009, 2011, and 2013, the disease caused severe damage to livestock farming in Nghe An province. Now, after ravaging 7 districts (resulting in the culling of over 1,600 pigs), African swine fever has returned in nearly 30 months.

According to Mr. Dang Van Minh, Deputy Head of the Provincial Veterinary Department, this long period has fostered a sense of complacency and negligence in disease prevention among livestock farmers. While animals carrying the virus may not show clinical symptoms, they can still carry the pathogen and frequently excrete waste, polluting the farming environment and significantly increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. In reality, after 2-3 years, when natural immunity decreases, vaccination rates for other diseases are low, and weather conditions change, pathogens have the opportunity to spread into epidemics, even in previously unaffected areas, due to the widespread dissemination of pathogens through transportation and trade.

Spread lime in livestock areas to prevent African swine fever outbreaks.

The outbreak in Hung My commune shows that people's awareness and habits in disease prevention and control are still limited. The pigs were not vaccinated against blue ear disease. To minimize the spread and outbreak of the disease, in addition to monitoring by functional forces, livestock farmers must proactively protect their livestock, avoiding complacency, concealing the disease, self-treating, or selling infected animals. They should buy breeding stock from reputable farms, ensuring sows are fully vaccinated, and absolutely avoid buying from unreliable sources, as piglets have a very high risk of infection.

During these "sensitive" periods of high risk, it is necessary to provide good care and nutrition for the pigs, use clean water for drinking, and regularly clean the pigpens. Regularly sweep and collect manure and waste, and use lime powder or diluted lime water to whitewash walls and pathways to kill pathogens.

Phu Huong