June 24, 2024

Vietnam grapples with surge in animal diseases due to rampant smuggling

Animal diseases have rapidly spread in cattle and poultry across several cities and provinces in Vietnam in recent months, with rampant animal smuggling cited as the primary cause, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Tuoi Tre News reported.

At a conference held in Hanoi to discuss measures to prevent and combat animal diseases, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien highlighted the increasing prevalence of African swine fever (ASF), bird flu, hand, foot, and mouth disease, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome in various localities.

Tien said ASF clusters are developing rapidly in some provinces, such as Quang Ninh and Bac Kan, making it urgent to contain the disease.

Tien emphasised that animal trafficking is a major contributor to the spread of these diseases. He noted that swine smuggling is rampant in the southern region, while poultry smuggling remains prevalent in the north. He further explained that long-haul buses in many northern provinces are transporting Chinese chickens and ducks rather than passengers.

The unchecked smuggling of animals poses a significant threat to Vietnam's efforts to establish disease-free animal husbandry zones, potentially hampering the country's husbandry industry and affecting farmers.

Tien called on provincial and city leaders nationwide to take immediate action to combat cattle and poultry smuggling. He urged officials to regularly inspect and tighten control over animal transport to effectively prevent the spread of diseases.

In response to the escalating situation, the prime minister signed a directive on Sunday ordering relevant agencies and localities to adopt drastic measures to battle animal diseases.

Nong Van Nhat, vice-chairman of Bac Kan province, reported that since the start of 2024, some 85% of all communes in Bac Kan have been affected by ASF. According to the Department of Animal Health, the country has detected 468 clusters of African swine fever in 41 cities and provinces since the beginning of the year, marking a 2.4-fold increase from the previous year. Approximately 22,000 swine have been culled, an increase of 94% year-on-year.

-      Tuoi Tre News