African swine fever forces culling of 4,453 pigs in Vietnam's Vinh Long

The Vinh Long People's Committee held an online meeting with commune and ward authorities on Saturday to review the outbreak and discuss prevention and control measures.

The meeting also covered proposed sites for animal quarantine stations in the province.

The provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment reported that Vinh Long has 847,054 pigs.

Since the beginning of the year, the disease has been detected at 179 livestock households across 39 communes and wards, resulting in the culling of 4,453 pigs.

From September 29 to November 14, outbreaks were reported at 165 households across 35 communes and wards.

Twelve communes and wards had recorded no new outbreaks for at least 21 days.

Le Van Dong, deputy director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, said small-scale farming and inadequate biosecurity measures had increased the risk of outbreaks and transmission.

He also said rain, flooding and high tides could spread pathogens through water sources, waste and livestock farming environments.

The department proposed three sites for animal quarantine stations: Luu Nghiep Anh Commune for Dai Ngai 1 Station, Cai Von Ward for Binh Minh Station, and Phu Tuc Commune for Rach Mieu Station.

Chau Van Hoa, vice-chairman of the provincial People's Committee, urged departments, agencies and local authorities to strengthen measures against the disease.

He told chairpersons of commune and ward people's committees to take direct responsibility for disease prevention and control.

They would be held accountable if widespread outbreaks occurred due to negligence or delayed action, he said.

Local authorities were also instructed to review pig populations and livestock households, strengthen disease surveillance, detect outbreaks early, contain affected areas and take immediate action when new cases are reported.