Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of Agricultureand Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong chaired a meeting in Hanoi on March 14to discuss solutions to curb and prevent further outbreaks of the African swinefever (ASF), which is developing and likely to spread wildly.
He suggested focusing on the prevention of thedisease in small-scale households, cleaning the breeding facilities, andstrictly managing the transport of pigs.
ASF has occurred in 17 cities and provinces inthe north and so if not controlled well, it could spread to the south andbecome more dangerous as the region is home to key livestock localities such asDong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City.
Therefore, it is necessary to strictly controlthe transport of pigs on roads to the south, the minister stressed.
He also suggested implementing policies tosupport the destruction of infected pigs while raising public awareness of theissue.
Representatives from localities asked formaterial and chemical support to implement disinfection and sterilisation.
Director of the Department of Animal Health PhamVan Dong said as of March 14, the ASF was reported in 221 communes in 52districts of 17 cities and provinces.
The total count of culled pigs was 23,422, hesaid, adding that most of the ASF outbreaks were found at small-scalehouseholds.
The ASF does not affect humans but causeshaemorrhagic fever in pigs and wild boars that is almost always fatal. There iscurrently no antidote or vaccine, with the only known preventative measure beinga mass cull of infected livestock. The disease spreads by contact betweeninfected pigs or other wild animals and can inflict massive economic damage onfarms.
On the same day, Minister of Industry and TradeTran Tuan Anh had a meeting with the Market Surveillance Agency and relevantagencies under the ministry to discuss measures to minimise impacts of thedisease on the market.-VNA
VNA
