Currently, two outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in pigs in Khanh Yen town (Van Ban) and Bao Ha commune (Bao Yen) have been controlled.
Spraying disinfectant to disinfect livestock barns in Khanh Yen town (Van Ban). Photo: Ha Phuong
According to information from the Provincial Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, on February 3, 2025, foot-and-mouth disease was detected in livestock herds at some households in Khanh Yen town, Van Ban district, causing 44 pigs to become sick. On February 5, 2025, 27 pigs in Bao Ha commune (Bao Yen) were found to have symptoms of the disease. Test results of the samples showed that some pigs had foot-and-mouth disease.
The cause of the outbreak was determined to be due to traders transporting pigs infected with the pathogen from other localities to the area for slaughter and sale to people.
Instructing people to disinfect the livestock environment at the epidemic site and surrounding areas. Photo: Ha Phuong
Faced with this situation, local authorities and functional agencies have strengthened the prevention and control of foot-and-mouth disease in livestock herds, avoiding outbreaks and widespread spread.
In Khanh Yen town, disinfection spraying has been organized to disinfect the livestock environment at the epidemic site and surrounding areas; total herd statistics, disease surveillance; inspection, control and prevention teams have been established to prevent the transportation of animals and animal products infected with pathogens into and out of the epidemic site; slaughtering and trading of fresh animal products infected with pathogens in the area have been temporarily suspended; propaganda and dissemination to the people about the harmful effects of foot-and-mouth disease, disease prevention measures, and application of biosafety measures in livestock farming.
In Bao Ha commune, animal owners and livestock facilities are required to quarantine sick animals or animals showing signs of illness; not to slaughter, trade, or dispose of sick animals, dead animals, or diseased products into the environment; to disinfect barns and the livestock environment, and to destroy dead animals according to regulations…
The risk of foot and mouth disease occurring in livestock is very high.
In addition, the Provincial Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine coordinates with districts, towns and cities to propagate compliance with regulations on trading and trading of veterinary drugs and animal feed, ensuring that the goods sold are on the list of drugs allowed to circulate, not trading drugs outside the list, substances prohibited for use in animal husbandry; handling plastic waste from veterinary drug containers, animal feed packaging, and aquatic feed at the source in accordance with regulations.
According to the Provincial Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, although the two outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in livestock in Van Ban and Bao Yen have been controlled, the risk of the epidemic occurring in other areas is also very high, so localities and livestock farmers need to proactively vaccinate their livestock against foot-and-mouth disease according to the instructions of veterinary agencies.
In particular, livestock farmers should regularly spray disinfectants, clean their barns well, and regularly check their livestock for symptoms of foot-and-mouth disease. They should absolutely not transport their livestock and immediately notify veterinary staff for timely intervention.
Dinh Viet Vinh
Source: Lao Cai Newspaper