Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,the risk of animal diseases in the last months of 2022 and early 2023 is veryhigh.
Since the beginning of 2022, animal diseases have been controlled,creating favourable conditions for livestock development, ensuring food supplyfor domestic consumption and boosting the export of animals and animalproducts.
However, according to local reports, several dangerous animaldiseases were rising.
The ministry's Department of Animal Health reported 40 outbreaksof avian influenza A/H5N1, A/H5N6 and A/H5N8 in 21 provinces and cities. Morethan 93,000 poultry have been culled.
More than 1,150 outbreaks of African swine fever were discoveredacross 51 provinces and cities, and 53,000 pigs were destroyed.
As many as 240 outbreaks of dermatomyositis among buffaloes andcows have been discovered in 16 provinces. So far, 2,255 buffaloes and cowshave been infected, and 442 culled.
There have also been six outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease inseven provinces, with 518 infected cattle and 135 outbreaks of animal rabies,causing 52 human deaths related to rabies.
Experts from the ministry have assessed that the above pathogensstill circulate at a relatively high rate in many localities; meanwhile, demandfor transportation, slaughter and consumption of animals and animal productshas increased sharply in late 2022.
The weather changes also have created good conditions forpathogens to spread.
In some localities, implementing animal disease prevention couldhave been better, and vaccination against diseases was at a low rate.
Localities need to proactively monitor animal diseases for earlydetection and complete handling when new outbreaks are detected.
Authorities need to strictly handle those who attempt to concealany disease, including those who transport animals suspected of being infectedand illegally dump dead animals.
Veterinary departments must also strengthen the management andcontrol of the slaughter of animals.
The Department of Animal Health has been assigned to set up expertteams to; monitor epidemics after vaccination; the application of informationtechnology and digital transformation in the prevention and control of animaldiseases and guide enterprises to organise research, production and supply ofvaccines against animal diseases./.
VNA
