Preventing animal diseases right from the breeding stage

Unusually hot and cold weather affects the resistance of livestock, increasing the risk of dangerous infectious diseases in livestock and poultry. Authorities recommend that localities focus on implementing effective solutions to prevent and control animal diseases.

Proactively "prevention is better than cure" is a good solution to protect livestock safety.

According to the livestock and veterinary industry, the total livestock herd is large but small-scale farming still accounts for a high proportion; small-scale slaughter accounts for the majority, while the vaccination rate is still low. In addition, the unusually hot and cold weather increases the risk of avian influenza, African swine fever and rabies reoccurring.

Since the beginning of 2025, the country has had 6 outbreaks of avian influenza A/H5N1 in 4 provinces; 68 outbreaks of African swine fever in 20 provinces; 9 outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in 7 provinces; 11 outbreaks of lumpy skin disease in 4 provinces; 44 outbreaks of rabies in animals in 21 provinces and cities, and 19 people have died from rabies in 12 provinces. In Vinh Long province, since the beginning of the year, there has been 1 outbreak of African swine fever.

Having just raised nearly 10 pigs, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai (Thanh Duc commune, Long Ho district) said: "Hearing the news that African swine fever has reappeared, I have paid attention to cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing the barns periodically and fully vaccinating them against the disease."

Learning from the previous batch of chickens infected with diseases, Mr. Pham Van Dong (Tan An Luong commune, Vung Liem district) said: “When raising livestock, the most important thing is to prevent diseases. Once the livestock gets sick, treatment will be very difficult. Therefore, right from the stage of selecting the breed, I imported chicks from large, high-quality farms. To prevent diseases during the entire breeding period, I vaccinated all types of diseases according to the instructions of local veterinary staff.”

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the risk of livestock diseases continuing to arise and spread in the coming time is very high, because the pathogens circulating in livestock and in the environment are still quite high and widespread. To proactively prevent animal diseases from arising and spreading widely, the Department urgently directs relevant units to proactively implement disease prevention and control measures.

Mr. Nguyen Van Dung - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment said: Localities need to urgently review and accurately count the total livestock herd; implement the first vaccination plan for 2025 for livestock herds. Organize vaccination against animal diseases such as: lumpy skin disease, foot and mouth disease, avian influenza, rabies... to ensure at least 80% of the total herd.

At the same time, propagate and mobilize people to proactively vaccinate with socialized vaccines such as vaccines against African swine fever, classical swine fever, anthrax, Newcastle and other dangerous infectious diseases.

Actively monitor livestock and poultry diseases, especially in areas where diseases have occurred and high-risk areas, to detect early, warn and handle thoroughly when new diseases are detected; strictly handle cases of concealment and failure to report, leading to widespread disease spread, affecting people and the community. In addition, strengthen quarantine management and control of animal and animal product transportation; strengthen inspection, supervision, detection and strict handling of cases of trading, transporting and slaughtering animals that do not meet requirements on disease prevention, control and food safety.

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) also recommends that localities need to organize information and propaganda work well; guide livestock farmers to increase the application of disease prevention and hygiene measures for livestock; build disease-free livestock facilities and areas; and proactively handle and completely handle when new diseases are discovered.

With the motto of disease prevention as the main focus, in addition to proactively vaccinating all necessary vaccines, livestock farmers need to pay attention to the care and feeding regime; ensure clean food and drinking water sources; strictly implement biosafety measures; and strictly control entry and exit to livestock areas.

It is necessary to comply with the regulations on livestock declaration with the locality. When detecting abnormal signs of livestock, suspected of being sick, it is necessary to immediately notify the local veterinary staff for guidance and timely treatment to avoid spreading the disease.

Article and photos: NGUYEN KHANG

Source: https://baovinhlong.vn/kinh-te/202504/phong-dich-benh-tren-vat-nuoingay-tu-khau-chon-giong-3f247fd/