New outbreaks of African swine fever have been reported in the northern provinces of Hoa Binh and Dien Bien, said Phung Duc Tien, deputy minister of Agriculture and Rural Development during a recent visit to inspect preventive measures against the disease in Luong Son district, Hoa Binh province.

Upon commenting on the latest developments, Mr Tien said the African swine fever (ASF) situation remains complicated as there is no cure for the disease, with the result almost always being fatal for the infected pigs.

Records belonging to the Veterinary Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development show that, as of March 6, more than 6,400 infected pigs have been forced to be culled.

The deputy minister has requested that localities disinfect and sterilize breeding facilities as well as tighten control over trade and the transportation of pigs, pork products, and slaughtering activities.

New outbreaks of ASF have also been detected in the hamlets of Bon A and Long Luong in Rang Dong commune, Tuan Giao district. All samples taken from pigs and pork products tested positive for ASF.

Animal health agencies have continued to test samples in the communes of Ta Ma and Muong Mun.

Currently, Dien Bien province has set up quarantine stations and has devised a plan to cull all the pigs in infected areas.

The first outbreak of ASF was discovered in the northern province of Hung Yen on February 1 and has since spread to 330 households, 49 communes, and 20 districts across nine provinces and cities including Hung Yen, Thai Binh, Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa, Hanoi, Hai Duong, Ha Nam, Dien Bien, and Hoa Binh.

During an earlier meeting, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc called on all relevant agencies to take drastic measures in order to prevent the epidemic and requested that HCM City set up quarantine stations in the Hai Van pass to prohibit the transportation of pigs from the north to the south to prevent the further spread of the epidemic. 

Pork now accounts for 70 per cent of meat products in Vietnam. There are 2.5 million households that breed pigs in the country and a further 10,000 pig farms.

VOV