Tears of pig farmers
African swine fever is rampant in many localities across the country. In Phu Tho, the epidemic is complicated, causing heavy damage to livestock farmers.
In recent days, people in Toan Thang commune have reported to Lao Dong Newspaper about the mass death of pigs and sick leave.
According to the reporter's records, the situation of sick pigs is quite complicated in Toan Thang commune, causing many households to fall into debt.
On July 18, in the family's grapefruit garden, Mr. Bui Van Uoc and his wife, in Ren hamlet, had just dug 5 holes in the soil and put away tears to bury 7 pigs that had died after many days of fever.
Among them was a domestic pig weighing more than 200kg, the rest was a pork weighing 5060kg.
Mr. Uoc said that more than 2 weeks ago, the family's herd of more than 20 pigs began to show signs of anorexia and high fever. Every day, some children die, now only a few are continuing to weaken.
"In the village, many houses also had pigs dying. I raised them on land far from residential areas, I thought I could avoid them, but in the end I couldn't escape. At the time of purchase, each child cost 1.2 million VND. Now I have been raising fish for more than 2 months, and I have earned more than 40 million in rice alone," he said.
With the pigs continuing to die, Mr. Uoc's family is at risk of losing over 100 million VND.
"My son does not work far but invests in this batch of pigs. Now that all the pigs have died, not only have they lost their livelihood but also have to pay rent," said Ms. Bui Thi Don, Mr. Uoc's wife.
Also in Ren hamlet, Mr. Bui Van Mu's family had to destroy all 18 pigs after getting sick. Each child weighed about 3540kg, dying in just a few days.
"Both the sows and the pigs could not pass. The total damage to the family is about 60 million VND, Mr. Mu said bitterly.
With an accumulated amount of more than 7 million VND, Mr. Cao Viet Mai, a household in difficult circumstances, bought a pig that had been carrying the land for more than a month.
"There was only about half a month left until the pigs were born, but they were sick for a few days and then died. Now there is nothing left to raise, Mr. Mai sadly said.
Timely support is needed for the people
Head of Ren hamlet, Mr. Bui Van Hai confirmed that the situation of sick and dead pigs due to African swine fever has appeared in many households in the hamlet.
The hamlet has requested households with sick or destroyed pigs to report to the management board for synthesis and reporting to the commune.
Toan Thang commune was established on the basis of merging the old Gia Mo, Lo Son and Nhan My communes. This is an area occupied by the Muong people, many of whom live by raising pigs. Not only in the old Gia Mo commune but also in many other hamlets in the commune, the situation of dead pigs is also happening.
"For more than a month now, we have not eaten pork because many of the dead pigs are dead. Outside the stream, there are also floating and foul-smelling pigs. Now the pigs are still dying in the village, and any household that still has pigs is very worried, said Mr. Bui Van Duong, a resident of Gia Phu hamlet.
Mr. Bui Van Hien, Vice Chairman of Toan Thang Commune People's Committee, informed that the locality has directed the hamlets to closely monitor the situation and count the number of dead pigs. The samples that were submitted for testing tested positive for African swine fever virus.
Late in the afternoon of July 18, Toan Thang commune announced the African swine fever epidemic in the area and is actively implementing epidemic prevention measures, as well as supporting people.
According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Phu Tho province, by 3:00 p.m. on July 18, the whole province still had 34 communes and wards with African swine fever that had not passed 21 days.
