On July 19, information from the Thanh Hoa Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine said that African swine fever has appeared in 18 households, in 11 villages of 8 communes and wards in the province. A total of 210 pigs weighing nearly 10 tons were forced to be destroyed.
The outbreaks mainly appeared in small-scale livestock households that did not ensure biosafety. Many barns are not isolated from the living area, some households also have food processing areas near the pig farming area, which poses a high risk of spreading.
Faced with the complicated developments of the epidemic, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Thanh Hoa has directed the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine to coordinate with agricultural service centers and local authorities to collect samples, test and destroy infected pigs in accordance with regulations.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine has also established a rapid response team to handle the outbreak, with 16 professional staff on duty at the facility. Communes and wards with the epidemic mobilized veterinary forces, economic staff and agricultural service centers to coordinate in suppressing the epidemic.
In addition, more than 1,300 liters of disinfectants, 400 sets of protective clothing and 400 pairs of boots were distributed to support localities affected by the epidemic. Although the epidemic is currently only affecting a few small-scale livestock households, the risk of spreading still exists.
The People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province has requested functional forces to strengthen management, inspection, and strict handling of cases of trading and transporting sick pigs and pig products, while preventing the act of throwing animal carcasses into the environment, especially in rivers, lakes, canals, and ditches.
