African swine fever outbreaks put Vietnam's Mekong Delta pig herds at risk

On Thursday, the Ca Mau provincial government issued an urgent directive ordering departments and local authorities to strengthen measures against African swine fever, eliminate existing outbreaks and prevent the disease from spreading.

The directive also requires stricter slaughter controls to prevent infected pigs from entering the food supply.

According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, Ca Mau has recorded 23 outbreaks affecting 138 farming households across 18 communes, with 1,667 pigs culled.

Nine outbreaks had not passed the 21-day monitoring period as of November 5.

They were reported in Tran Van Thoi, Vinh My, Da Bac, Khanh Binh, Chau Thoi, Vinh Loi, Hoa Binh, Tri Phai and Vinh Thanh Communes.

Most outbreaks have occurred at small-scale farms that have failed to meet biosecurity requirements or maintain regular cleaning and disinfection procedures, according to local authorities.

The provincial chairman has ordered departments and local authorities to eliminate outbreaks and establish checkpoints between infected and unaffected areas to prevent further transmission.

The provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment must also provide technical guidance on the disposal of infected pigs, disinfection procedures and the second round of livestock vaccinations.

Authorities have been instructed to tighten animal quarantine and slaughter inspections and prevent the improper disposal of dead pigs into the environment.

In Can Tho City, African swine fever outbreaks have also been reported across multiple localities, according to the city's Livestock Production and Veterinary Sub-department under the Department of Agriculture and Environment.

From the beginning of the year through October, the disease affected 62 farming households across 31 communes and wards, resulting in the culling of nearly 2,000 infected or dead pigs.

As of early November, 19 communes and wards still had outbreaks that had not passed the 21-day monitoring period.

Can Tho has more than 500,000 pigs at farming establishments, with annual pork production exceeding 83,000 metric tons, according to the sub-department.

The agency said controlling the disease was important to protecting livestock farmers and ensuring food safety ahead of the year-end period and Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet.

Can Tho authorities are implementing measures to contain the disease, protect pig herds and guide farmers in safely restocking their farms.