1.2 million pigs culled due to African Swine Fever

Agriculture Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong said at an online meeting in Hanoi that 1.2 million farmed pigs infected with African Swine Fever culled nationwide.
1.2 million pigs culled due to African Swine Fever
Because African swine fever, which harms pigs but not humans, has swept across the country’s southern and central provinces, the Ministry convened the online meeting in Hanoi to analyze the situation and propose measures against the catastrophic present outbreak of African swine fever, which affects pigs but is harmless to humans.
The Ministry has convened three meetings on the African swine fever which there is available no drugs or vaccines to fight it to urge the government to implement strong preventative measures, said Minister Cuong.
So far, the virus has occurred in 2,296 communes of 204 districts in 29 cities and provinces countrywide. In addition to the pigs culled on the infected farms, many more have been slaughtered by farmers . The Minister warned it would widely spread to new regions and larger farms in the next time.
The disease has spread to the southern provinces of Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc, bordering with Ho Chi Minh City and it showed no sign of abatement and under the control. Dong Nai province, largest pork producer with 2 million pigs, daily supplies 40 percent – 50 percent of pigs to Ho Chi Minh City or neighboring provinces.
In the onset of ravaging ASF, 3, 917 farms raising over 274,000 pigs in HCMC feed their animal with left-over food taken from restaurants or eateries triggering high risk of the virus spreading further and the evolution of the outbreak is complicated.
Deputy Chief of the Department of Animal Health Huynh Tan Phat said that since early May, the Department has worked with its sub-divisions in neighboring province on precautionary measures against ASF virus.
Specifically, slaughterhouses in ASF-affected will not be given certificates of quarantine and responsible agencies will increase supervision to slaughterhouses in bordering crossings.
Moreover, updates of the African Swine fever virus development between animal health departments will be exchanged. Transportation of pigs can travel only in the National Highway 1A and 1 K.
Head of HCM City's Food Safety Management Board Pham Khanh Phong Lan said it needs to raise information of ASF so that residents can understand it correctly to still buy pork with clear indication of origin as well as tighten control of slaughtering pigs in wholesale markets and traditional markets.
Standing Deputy Chairman of HCMC People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem said that prevention of ASF is a long-term and urgent task but above all, the government should make people understand thorough about the disease so that they will continue consuming safe pork.
Mr. Liem stressed that leaders of districts will be punished if illicit slaughtering of the animal occurs in the area under their jurisdiction effecting honest businesses and farmers.

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