July 17, 2020

Vietnam targets zero African swine fever cases by 2025

Vietnam aims to be 90% free of African swine fever (ASF) by 2022 and free from the disease by 2025 in a new national plan approved by Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung, Vietnam News Agency reported.

Other goals in the ASF prevention plan 2020 - 2025 include 500 safe swine breeding facilities and 50 safe livestock chains, for Vietnam to meet demand domestically and for export.

It is hoped that 90% of small and medium swine breeding farms, as well as 80% of large scale swine breeding farms will implement bio-security measures to protect against ASF, while an ASF vaccine is to be developed.

To hit these ASF prevention goals, Vietnam will step-up ASF detection and implement preventive measures against the disease to reduce economic losses and minimise the impact of fluctuating domestic pork prices.

The preventive measures include introducing bio-security processes in swine raising, culling ASF-infected swine and monitoring pork product transport and sales in the country. An ASF awareness campaign will be rolled out to the public.

Emergency response activities will be conducted by The National Steering Committee for African Swine Flu Prevention and Control. A national supervising plan will be set up by Vietnam's Department of Animal Health.

Vietnam has reported ASF outbreaks in 20 provinces and cities, with 10,000 swine culled.

-      Vietnam News Agency