Hanoi (VNA) – Localities throughout thecountry have been active in taking concrete measures to prevent the spread of Africanswine fever (ASF).

The northern province of Lao Cai convened anurgent meeting on March 6 to direct the implementation of prevention measures.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’sCommittee Nguyen Thanh Duong requested relevant forces to strictly control theentry of pigs and pork products into the province through border routes,highways, and river passages.

He assigned the provincial Department ofAgriculture and Rural Development, Department of Industry and Trade, Departmentof Health, and Sub-department of Market Management to set up inspection teamsacross nine cities and districts, as well as instructed livestock households todisinfect their breeding facilities.

The southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau hasbuilt an ASF prevention plan, focusing on supervision over trade and transportof pigs and pork products.

The southern province of Ben Tre and thenorthern province of Nam Dinh have set up inspection stations to control theimport of pigs and pork products from other provinces.

Meanwhile, the central province of Ha Tinh, wherea large source of food and cattle-feed is transported through to other southernprovinces, has been increasing its examination of livestock trade andtransport.

The Central Highland province of Dak Lak hasissued an urgent notice to relevant departments to intensify measures toprevent the disease.

The ASF virus does not affect humans but doescause haemorrhagic fever in pigs and wild boars that is almost always fatal.There is currently no antidote or vaccine, with the only known preventativemeasure is a mass cull of infected livestock. The disease spreads by contactbetween infected pigs or other wild animals and can inflict massive economicdamage on farms.

The virus is developing in a complex manner withmore than 4,200 infected pigs in nine provinces nationwide culled so far. –VNA