The rapid spread of African swine fever in Vietnam has led to the fact that more than 1.7 million infected pigs have already been slaughtered in the country. Officials warn that the disease could enter large commercial farms.
About 5 percent of the total pig population is slaughtered in the country, the number of provinces and cities in which ASF is recorded has increased to 42, according to the government’s website. According to forecasts by the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture, the epidemic is likely to continue to spread to other places and larger farms.
The rainy season and subsequent floods in the southwestern part of the Mekong Delta exacerbated the spread of the disease and affected the burial of culled animals. The Government noted that even in areas where there were no new cases for at least 30 days, outbreaks could recur.
The government said it is preparing a higher compensation rate for affected farmers. The current level of 38,000 dong (US $ 1.62) per kilogram of live pigs encourages farmers to hide or delay reports of infections. They are also trying to sell infected animals.
The Vietnamese government is encouraging the cultivation of poultry, cattle and other livestock to make up for a possible shortage of pork. Agriculture Minister Nguyen Xuan Quong orders large and small farmers whose pigs have been infected to stop breeding pigs at this time.
The ministry is directing local governments to help these pig farmers find new livelihoods.
