The outbreaks of the African Swine Fever (ASF) were observed in 17 provinces and cities in Vietnam, according to the Department of Animal Health’s latest report on March 14.

Specifically, the deadly epidemic was reported in 221 communes in 52 districts of Hanoi, the northern provinces of Hung Yen, Thai Binh, Hai Phong City, Thanh Hoa, Hai Duong, Ha Nam, Hoa Binh, Dien Bien, Thai Nguyen, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh, Lang Son, Bac Kan, Son La and the central province of Nghe An.

23.442 hogs have been infected and culled so far.

In the central province of Nghe An, the center of Husbandry and Animal Health and related agencies took samples of hog herd in breeder Hoang Van Lan’s farm. Test results has shown that the herd were positive for ASF virus.

The authorities immediately quarantined and disinfected the affected farm with chemicals as well as culled all pigs.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong convened an urgent meeting with heads of 63 provinces and cities on March 14 to discuss preventative measures.

Deputy of Animal Health Department Pham Van Dong pointed out the culprit of ASF’s spread was that inappropriate disinfection and transportation from places to place ( making up 46 percent ), feeding pigs with leftover (accounting for 34 percent ) and the transport of living pigs and pig products (19 percent ).

To prevent the spread of the disease, shortly after receiving the test results which confirmed that the pigs are positive for the deadly virus, responsible agencies soon buried diseased pigs and disinfected infected farms with chemicals in the premises of the burying areas.

Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong said outbreaks hit small farms for past time and it may be big losses if the disease is spread to the South which raises big herd of hog and is the major market for pig products.

Minister Cuong stressed that all localities ought to revise and adopt proper measures as per the government’s directive No.4/CT-TTg on the synchronous implementation of urgent solutions to control ASF.

In a related news of ASF, ten drivers were fined VND300 million ($12,913) for transporting nearly 350 kilogram of pork but couldn’t produce receipt of origin and hygiene certificates, said the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

SGGP