Illustrative image (Source: VNA)HCM City (VNA) – Provinces and citiesin the Mekong Delta have tightened control over the transport of livestock andstepped up prevention efforts against the growing epidemic of Africanswine fever among pigs.
The People’s Committee of Dong Thap province hasprohibited the transport, trade, consumption, slaughter, or gift of smuggledand unknown meat.
When pigs infected with African swine fever arediscovered, related authorities must be informed immediately, Nguyen Van Cong,Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Since early 2019, Dong Thap province has notfaced any animal epidemic, but has spent 6.7 billion VND (around 290,000 USD)preparing for epidemics, he said.
In neighbouring An Giang province, the Departmentof Agriculture and Rural Development has stepped up oversight of pig farms andincreased hygiene requirements for them.
Local authorities have also set up check pointsto control pig transport, slaughter, trade, and consumption.
In border regions, surveillance has been steppedup to prevent meat smuggling. The responsibility of each agency in case of anepidemic has been spelled out.
In Tien Giang province, hundreds of veterinarystaff have been dispatched to prevent the epidemic.
The public are kept abreast of the situation andtaught how to prevent the spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, Can Tho city has increasedsurveillance of pork trade and pig farms.-VNA
VNA
