The agricultural sector “wind up” to prevent African swine fever

Now, 17 countries and territories report the African swine fever. Photo: Internet

100% mortality

At the online conference on the implementation of the prevention and control of animal diseases in Thu Dong, and prevention of ASF infection into Vietnam held by the MARD on the morning of September 14, in Ha Noi, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Ha Cong Tuan said that Vietnam had 27.4 million pigs in 2017. The total output of live pork was about 1.026 million tons in the first quarter of 2018, 830,000 tons in the second quarter of 2018.

ASF is a serious infectious disease caused by a virus. The nature of the virus does not spread itself, but it disseminates quickly compared to some other germs such as the virus causing foot and mouth disease, blue ear disease, classic swine fever.

Countries which have had the epidemics showed that ASF was spread mainly due to human factors such as the transport of pigs and infected products from one place to another. However, the virus can cause death in pigs at very high rates compared to other diseases.

In relation to this, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization FAO representative added that ASF had a slow rate of spread. For example, for swine fever, when a pig was infected the whole herd would be infected after only a week, but for ASF, only some pigs would be infected after a week. Infection was caused by contact between the infected pigs and the uninfected pigs. However, it is worth noting that almost 100% of infected pigs would die.

"Pigs will die sporadically but not simultaneously. We can not see 100% of pigs dying in a day like many other diseases. It makes it difficult for the farmers, veterinary authorities in the localities… Therefore, training to identify the disease for these forces is very important. I suggest testing any pigs suspected of having the disease immediately from now, especially pigs over 12 weeks, because ASF focuses on pigs at this age,” said the FAO representative.

Stress on biosafetyr

The FAO Representative stated that the most important solution to prevent ASF for Vietnam was to protect the farms from the introduction of viruses by applying biosafety, disinfection. There are no vaccines for this disease yet, so the key must be that biosafety is implemented well.

On the same point, Vice Minister Ha Cong Tuan also stressed that strict implementation of biosafety measures in animal husbandry was the most effective and important preventive measure; At the same time, the pig production establishments, areas, means of transport, livestock and hygiene facilities of people involved in animal husbandry must be cleaned and disinfected regularly; we should practice good animal husbandry and disease safety.

In addition, according to Vice Minister Ha Cong Tuan, clinical monitoring and supervising of pigs should be strengthened; to detect promptly, isolate and take testing samples for suspected infected pigs; Comply with regulations on transport management, quarantine of pigs and pig products.

In cases where the disease is detected, the epidemic must be treated at a small scale without allowing it to spread, the infected pigs and the surrounding pig herds must be destroyed; we should narrow the disease zones and buffer zones down; forbid the transport of pigs and pig products, including processed products out of epidemic areas, and financially support pig farmers that are forced to destroy...

In response to the ASF, Thailand's experience shows that this country has issued a temporary ban on importing pigs and pork products from China (excluding the salted pig gutted products processed to kill the ASF virus), at the same time, organize the strict control of luggage of tourists at airports, border gates, seaports, use professional sniffer dogs to detect and open the luggage to check if in doubt; Establish and review the entire Emergency Response Plan for the ASF.