(binhthuan.gov.vn) According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, from the beginning of 2024, the country has had over 660 outbreaks of African Swine Fever in 44 provinces and cities, forcing the destruction of over 42,400 pigs, especially in the provinces of Bac Kan, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Hoa Binh, Son La, Quang Nam and Long An... causing losses to farmers. Currently, African Swine Fever is on the rise, with a very high risk of large scale widespread, which could affect food supplies, consumer price indexes and human living environments.

In order to proactively prevent and control African Swine Fever in the province promptly and effectively, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Hong Hai requests relevant departments, agencies and People's Committees of districts, towns and cities to strictly implement measures to prevent African Swine Fever.

Accordingly, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development shall preside over and coordinate with the People's Committees of districts, towns and cities to organize inspections and supervision of the prevention and control of African Swine Fever; strengthen monitoring and grasp of disease information in localities with high pig farming density, localities bordering provinces where African Swine Fever is occurring. At the same time, direct the Sub-department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine to develop a plan to implement the prevention and control of African Swine Fever, prepare human resources and equipment to promptly respond as soon as African Swine Fever occurs in the province; in which, proactively coordinate closely with localities to strengthen the monitoring of the epidemic situation, promptly conduct testing when detecting sick pigs, dead pigs with symptoms of African Swine Fever. Strictly organize quarantine; strictly control the transportation and trade of pigs and pig products in the area; coordinate to strictly handle violations against organizations and individuals transporting animals and animal products of unknown origin without quarantine certificates as prescribed. Coordinate with local People's Committees to focus on building animal disease-free areas and facilities according to regulations of Vietnam and the World Organization for Animal Health to promote exports.

The Provincial Market Surveillance Agency shall proactively coordinate with relevant departments, agencies and localities to strengthen market circulation control, promptly detect and strictly handle cases of trading and transporting pigs and pig products of unknown origin or without quarantine to prevent African Swine Fever and other animal diseases.

Media agencies in the province shall coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and relevant units to promote propaganda on measures to prevent and control African Swine Fever; knowledge on disease prevention; mobilizing people not to slaughter or transport sick or dead livestock and poultry and especially not to use sick or dead livestock and poultry for food; breeders shall voluntarily report immediately when there is sick or dead livestock and poultry and coordinate with competent authorities to handle according to regulations.

People's Committees of districts, towns and cities shall direct specialized agencies at district level, relevant units and People's Committees at commune level to review and make specific and accurate statistics on the total pig herd and the number of pigs vaccinated against African Swine Fever in their areas; on that basis, develop plans, proactively prioritize the allocation of funding for centralized vaccine purchases and organize synchronous vaccination at the same time in accordance with the direction of the Prime Minister. Instruct farmers to strengthen the application of hygiene and disinfection measures in barns and surrounding areas at high risk; promote biosafety farming, build disease-free facilities and breeding areas. Organize inspection, monitoring and early detection of African Swine Fever outbreaks in the locality, paying special attention to small-scale farming households and localities with old outbreaks for early detection, warning and handling thoroughly as soon as the epidemic has just appeared. Organize the disposal of sick pigs, suspected sick pigs, and dead pigs; proactively implement policies to support farmers affected by disease in accordance with the law. Strictly handle cases of buying, selling, transporting sick pigs, and dumping dead pigs that spread disease and pollute the environment. Establish working groups to inspect and urge the prevention and control of African Swine Fever in localities. Proactively develop response plans and scenarios to minimize the spread of African Swine Fever in the areas.

Nguyễn Phương