The body of a dead cross-bred wild boar infected with ASF. Vung Tau has become the 59th locality to be hit by the disease – PHOTO: SGGPO

According to Nguyen Luong Trai, head of the provincial Livestock Production and Veterinary Agency, the first ASF outbreak was discovered among a herd of 62 pigs raised by Nguyen Vuong Long, residing in Suoi Rau Commune, Chau Duc District.

Long earlier reported signs of ASF in his pig herd to a local veterinary agency on June 21. The pigs tested positive for the disease.

On the following day, June 22, the Livestock Production and Veterinary Agency discovered a herd of 100 cross-bred wild boars, owned by Bui Thanh Binh in Phuoc Hung Ward, showing symptoms of the disease. Samples collected from the animals also tested positive for ASF.

The agency and local authorities immediately culled the sick pigs and sterilized the farming areas and neighboring sites.

Earlier, the province had approved using some VND2.7 billion for purchasing testing equipment, disinfectants and powdered lime in preparation for fighting any ASF outbreaks.

It also set up 12 checkpoints along National Highways 51, 55 and 56 and in Chau Duc, Xuyen Moc and Phu My districts to control the transport of pigs, as these areas share borders with Dong Nai Province, which has already been hit by ASF.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau is a major pig farming province with a total herd of more than 400,000.

To date, the porcine disease has attacked 60 provinces and cities nationwide, with more than 2.6 million pigs culled. Lam Dong is the latest province to be struck by ASF. The three remaining provinces free from the disease are Ben Tre, Ninh Thuan and Tay Ninh. SGT

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