Many ways to prevent and control African swine fever

According to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine of Binh Dinh, in the first quarter of 2025, the total pig herd of Binh Dinh increased by over 5% over the same period last year, including piglets and sows, it was nearly 1 million.

Currently, many provinces and cities across the country are experiencing outbreaks of African swine fever, while Binh Dinh has also suffered from this disease before, so the pathogen is always latent in the environment and can break out at any time.

Binh Dinh authorities recommend that pig farmers fully vaccinate their pigs to increase their resistance to African swine fever. Photo: V.D.T.

Mr. Huynh Ngoc Diep, Head of the Binh Dinh Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, shared that the functional sector of Binh Dinh is carrying heavy worries that while farmers are strongly restocking their herds, there is a risk that breeding pigs will be imported from other provinces, not to mention that imported pork according to market demand will bring in pathogens, so the locality is strengthening control work.

Currently, all pigs imported from outside into Binh Dinh must be declared through Cu Mong Animal Quarantine Station (Ghenh Rang Ward, Quy Nhon City). Upon receiving information, Cu Mong Animal Quarantine Station will immediately notify the Agricultural Service Center where the pigs were imported and at what time for coordination and monitoring.

In addition, Binh Dinh authorities continue to strengthen disease surveillance and warning, and at the same time, implement vaccination against dangerous animal diseases such as avian influenza, foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease in cattle and buffalo, and vaccines for pigs, encouraging farmers to self-vaccinate in the form of socialization.

“To prevent African swine fever, we have stepped up management and supervision of livestock farming in the area. We have strengthened inspection and strictly handled violations in livestock farming, purchasing, processing and consuming animal products, especially for smuggled pigs and pigs of unknown origin that have mixed into the area and spread the disease,” said Mr. Nguyen Thanh Vuong, Director of the Agricultural Service Center of Hoai An district, the locality with the largest pig herd in Binh Dinh.

According to Mr. Huynh Ngoc Diep, the provincial authorities are currently advising farmers to actively vaccinate against African swine fever. The People's Committee of Binh Dinh province has also directed local authorities to advise farmers that when vaccinating, they need to connect with commune-level veterinary staff, so that commune-level veterinary staff can notify the local Agricultural Service Center for guidance and advice," said Mr. Huynh Ngoc Diep.

“When vaccinating against African swine fever, there must be supervision by commune-level veterinary staff because this type of vaccine must be injected into the correct target pigs (pigs from 4-8 weeks old). If not supervised, farmers will inject the wrong target and an unfortunate incident will occur. There must be supervision so that if a problem occurs, veterinary staff can confirm it so that the farmer can receive state support according to regulations,” said Mr. Diep.

The vaccination rate against African swine fever in Binh Dinh is very low. Photo: V.D.T.

However, the current vaccination rate against African swine fever for pigs in Binh Dinh is very low, only a few establishments are aware of the need to vaccinate with this vaccine, but the number is not much. According to the understanding of the functional sector, the number of pigs vaccinated against African swine fever compared to the total herd is not much, only nearly 100,000 out of a total herd of about 720,000 pigs.

In reality, large-scale industrial pig farms vaccinate all types of vaccines to preserve their assets, while small-scale pig farms are very negligent. Because 1 vial of African swine fever vaccine must be vaccinated for 10-20 pigs, while each household only raises 3-4 pigs. Buying a vial of vaccine cannot vaccinate all of them, and throwing it away is a waste because 1 vial of African swine fever vaccine currently costs 40,000-50,000 VND, so they do not vaccinate.

“Our farmers still lack connection in business. Small-scale farmers can connect 2-3 households, each raising 5-7 pigs, to buy 1 vial of African swine fever vaccine to vaccinate their pigs, but they don't do it,” Mr. Diep shared.

Source: https://nongnghiep.vn/muon-kieu-phong-chong-dich-ta-lon-chau-phi-d744930.html