African swine fever prevention still faces challenges

ĐBP - Since the beginning of this year, African swine fever (ASF) has continued to develop in a complex manner, re-emerging in many localities across Điện Biên province.

The number of pigs infected, dead, and requiring disposal has steadily increased, yet disease prevention and control at the grassroots level remains challenging and less effective than expected. By August 1, ASF had affected more than 619 households across 136 hamlets and villages in 19 communes and wards. The province had disposed of 2,946 diseased pigs, amounting to 133,510 kilograms, 3.9 times higher than the same period in 2024.

Staff from the Regional Agricultural Service Center No.2 conduct inspections, raise awareness, and guide households on ASF prevention.

Facing the increasingly complex outbreak, provincial authorities and the Department of Agriculture and Environment have issued various directives and guidelines to support localities in implementing disease control, containment, and risk mitigation. However, real-world efforts have shown several inadequacies. In many affected areas, the absence of interdisciplinary inspection teams and disease control checkpoints has hindered oversight of pig transportation and the movement of pork products. Public communication and guidance for farming households have not been truly effective. Some farmers, due to carelessness or resignation, fail to report outbreaks, conceal infections, and dispose of dead pigs improperly, thereby increasing the risk of disease transmission and making it more difficult to manage.

At the commune level, newly reorganized local governments are still facing significant challenges in implementing and coordinating response tasks. In addition, certain technical agencies are operating without clear legal frameworks, which hinders the effective enforcement of disease control measures. Since July 1, ASF has appeared in 84 households across 29 out of 73 villages in Thanh Nưa Commune, with 144 pigs culled, totaling more than 13.6 tons in weight. In response, the Thanh Nưa commune People’s Committee formed five rapid response teams to monitor and guide locals, oversee disposal procedures, and support farmers in submitting the required paperwork for state compensation. Despite these efforts, prevention remains difficult.

Residents of Hoong Lếch Cang village, Thanh Nưa commune, dispose of dead pigs in accordance with regulations.

According to Mr. Chu Văn Bách, Chairman of the Thanh Nưa commune People’s Committee, the lack of a clear coordination mechanism with technical agencies has made it difficult to assign responsibilities in handling outbreaks. Furthermore, the commune has not received funds for disease prevention and has had to cover all related activities, from disposal to disinfection and frontline staff support, on its own. Meanwhile, some households remain negligent and irresponsible, with instances of dead pig carcasses being dumped into the environment. This careless practice is one of the direct causes of the rapid spread of ASF.

Even though ASF has been officially declared in only two of the twenty villages in Sam Mứn commune, local authorities have recorded several cases of residents discarding dead pigs in the communal garbage site near Pắc Nậm Bridge rather than disposing of them as required. This behavior poses a serious threat of widespread contagion. To address this, local officials have organized community meetings to raise awareness and encourage proper waste disposal.

According to Ms. Nguyễn Thị Huyền, Vice Chairwoman of the Sam Mứn commune People’s Committee, despite efforts to educate residents at the village level, violations continue. On July 20, the commune installed surveillance cameras at the waste collection site and tasked the commune police with increasing inspections and penalties for offenders. Since installing the monitoring system, two violators have been summoned and warned. In the future, the commune will continue to intensify supervision and strictly handle any misconduct to prevent further outbreaks.

One of the most critical measures in ASF prevention is to monitor slaughter activities and prevent the sale and distribution of infected pigs. However, for over a month now, this activity has been disrupted. This disruption poses a major risk, as sick pigs or contaminated meat could reach the market and spread the disease further. Ms. Quàng Thị Hoa, an officer from the Regional Agricultural Service Center No.2, noted that in the past, veterinary staff from the former Điện Biên District regularly monitored slaughterhouses, only allowing healthy pigs to be marked and sold. But since the reorganization and establishment of a new administrative system, these inspections have been temporarily suspended.

The Sam Mứn commune People’s Committee has installed surveillance cameras to monitor and penalize illegal pig carcass dumping.

Reports from the Regional Agricultural Service Center No.2 show that there are currently 28 slaughterhouses operating in 12 communes in the region, each processing one to two pigs per day on average. Mr. Phạm Quang Thành, Acting Director of the center, acknowledged that this is a widespread issue among regional centers in the province. As these newly formed units are still in the process of completing legal documentation, such as seals and invoices, they are not yet qualified to resume local slaughterhouse inspections. In addition, monitoring the transportation of pigs and related products remains problematic. According to Mr. Thành, effective oversight requires close coordination between veterinary services, police, market management, and local authorities, but the current mechanisms for collaboration remain vague and underdeveloped.

As pig farmers begin to restock and expand production in preparation for the end-of-year market, the continued threat of ASF makes it more urgent than ever to implement disease prevention measures in a comprehensive and effective way. Local governments and specialized agencies must take stronger, more decisive actions, improving coordination in zoning outbreak areas, responding to infections, and strictly monitoring transportation, slaughter, and pork distribution. Only through strong control measures can pig herds be protected, farmer losses minimized, and a stable supply of pork ensured for the year-end season.

Nhật Phương
Comment

You have 500/500 characters left

Please enter 5 or more characters!!!

Recent news

  • 'Strengthening trust in young generation’s willingness to brave hardship

    Strengthening trust in young generation’s willingness to brave hardship

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - During the days when Điện Biên province was reeling from historic floods, the blue shirts of the province’s volunteer youth were always by the side of flood-affected people. More than 1,500 members of the Youth Union did not hesitate to enter the heart of the disaster, using their youthful strength and passionate hearts to share the burden, help people rise again, and embody the spirit of “wherever youths are needed, they are present; whatever is difficult, youth will take on.”
  • 'Upgraded classrooms, brighter futures: Điện Biên invests in education

    Upgraded classrooms, brighter futures: Điện Biên invests in education

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - As preparations begin for the 2025-2026 academic year, localities across Điện Biên province are ramping up efforts to build, upgrade, and repair school facilities to ensure adequate infrastructure for teaching and learning. Numerous projects, including new classrooms, boarding houses, and multi-purpose buildings, have been completed, contributing to a safe and friendly learning environment. These infrastructure upgrades are expected to improve education quality and better meet the needs of both students and teachers.
  • 'Điện Biên border guards practice “good mass mobilization”

    Điện Biên border guards practice “good mass mobilization”

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Without loud slogans or superficial gestures, the "Skilful Mass Mobilization" movement by the border guard force of Điện Biên province has been quietly making meaningful, practical contributions to the local socio-economic development. Especially notable is the role they play in harnessing the strength of the people to safeguard national sovereignty and security along the border.
  • 'Sidewalk herbal medicine: More harm than good

    Sidewalk herbal medicine: More harm than good

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - No labels, no packaging, no circulation registration numbers, not even expiration dates, yet a wide array of medicinal herbs, commonly referred to as “medicine” by local vendors, continues to be openly sold at traditional markets and tourist sites. Promoted with claims of being “traditional remedies,” “cure-alls,” or “guaranteed healing,” these products, despite their rustic appearance and so-called ancient origins, hide a number of potential health risks.
  • 'Hidden dangers of unleashed dogs

    Hidden dangers of unleashed dogs

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Accidents caused by dog chases, hospitalizations from dog bites, and even deaths from rabies have all occurred in the province. Yet unleashed dogs remain a common sight in villages and residential areas, posing unpredictable risks to public health and safety.
  • 'Running movement: A fresh breeze in the rhythm of life in Điện Biên

    Running movement: A fresh breeze in the rhythm of life in Điện Biên

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Quiet yet steadily growing, the running movement in Điện Biên province is making its mark in people’s lives as a new rhythm - healthy, active, and full of inspiration. From central streets to the peaceful paths along the rice fields of Mường Thanh, runners in sportswear with resilient strides and passionate eyes can now be seen everywhere.
  • 'Social media - An “extended arm” of local government

    Social media - An “extended arm” of local government

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Since their official establishment, communes and wards across our province have quickly embraced innovation in public communication. Notably, localities have been focusing on leveraging social media, particularly Facebook, as a “digital communication channel.” This not only helps break geographical barriers but also creates an effective bridge, bringing positive changes in how information is delivered from authorities to people.
  • 'Where the people’s trust becomes a stronghold

    Where the people’s trust becomes a stronghold

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - In their mission to safeguard the border and uphold national sovereignty, officers and soldiers at the Na Cô Sa Border Post in Điện Biên province are also quietly cultivating trust among local residents through responsible, heartfelt actions.
  • 'Efforts to achieve economic growth targets

    Efforts to achieve economic growth targets

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - In the first six months of 2025, the Điện Biên province’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) reached nearly VND 7,982 billion, an increase of 5.11% compared to the same period last year. This growth rate is lower than both the annual target and the national average.
  • 'Strict control over animal transport and slaughter

    Strict control over animal transport and slaughter

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - According to statistics from competent authorities, since the beginning of the year, African swine fever has occurred in 398 households across 106 hamlets and villages in 15 out of 45 communes and wards in Điện Biên province, with 1,866 pigs infected and culled, weighing a total of 87,509 kilograms, causing losses worth billions of VND.
  • 'Nà Bủng ready for the commune Party Congress

    Nà Bủng ready for the commune Party Congress

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - These days, in the border commune of Nà Bủng of Điện Biên province, people of all ethnic minority groups are eagerly looking forward to the first Nà Bủng commune Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term. From grassroots Party cell meetings, personnel consultation conferences, to activities celebrating the Congress… all reflect a strong determination for renewal.
  • 'Change of school names should be associated with new administrative units

    Change of school names should be associated with new administrative units

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - After the reorganization and restructuring of administrative units under the two-tier local government model, which resulted in the dissolution of district-level administrative units, a practical issue emerged: the names of many schools no longer matched the new administrative reality, causing certain inconveniences. Therefore, the review and proposal to rename educational institutions in our province are being promptly implemented by authorities at all levels to ensure uniformity and stability for the upcoming school year.
  • 'Properly arranging personnel to ensure smooth and efficient operations

    Properly arranging personnel to ensure smooth and efficient operations

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - As soon as the two-tier local government model came into operation, in addition to ensuring the necessary infrastructure and equipment, Tủa Thàng commune in Điện Biên province placed special emphasis on arranging and assigning personnel with the principle of “putting the right person in the right job” to meet the requirements of the new stage.
  • 'Innovating methods of listening to and receiving voters’ opinions

    Innovating methods of listening to and receiving voters’ opinions

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - With the implementation of the two-tier local government model, changes in organizational structure, personnel, administrative boundaries, and management functions have posed new requirements for maintaining strong ties between the government and people. In this context, renewing voter engagement activities has been identified as an important solution to strengthen public trust and ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the newly organized government system.