The Economic Police Department of Quang Ngai Province yesterday discovered Duong's facility collecting and loading pigs onto a truck. Upon inspection, 69 pigs were found on the truck, 5 of which were dead; three more were confined in a pen.
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Authorities take samples for testing. Photo: Quang Ngai Police |
Authorities take samples for testing. Photo: Quang Ngai Police
During the inspection, Duong failed to provide documentation proving the origin and health certification of the pigs. She admitted to collecting the pigs from Nghia Hanh commune (an area currently experiencing an outbreak of African swine fever) and intended to transport them to Gia Lai and Dong Nai for slaughter and sale to sausage processing facilities.
The provincial Sub-Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine randomly collected 22 samples of blood, lymph nodes, and spleen from the pigs for testing. 21 of the 22 samples tested positive for the African swine fever virus. Upon receiving the results, the inspection team coordinated with local authorities to destroy all the pigs overnight.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), African swine fever is on the rise. Currently, the country has recorded 248 outbreaks in 20 of 34 provinces and cities within the last three weeks: Bac Ninh, Cao Bang, Da Nang, Dak Lak, Dien Bien, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Noi, Khanh Hoa, Lai Chau, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lam Dong, Ninh Binh, Phu Tho, Quang Ngai, Quang Tri, Son La, and Tuyen Quang. 19,700 pigs have been infected, with 20,280 deaths and subsequent destructions.
African swine fever, originating in Africa, spreads rapidly and has a near 100% mortality rate in infected pigs. The virus is present in the blood, organs, and secretions of infected pigs. It is highly resistant, able to withstand low temperatures, and is only killed at 70 degrees Celsius. The disease is transmitted through respiratory and digestive routes, via direct or indirect contact with contaminated materials. While the disease does not infect humans, they can act as carriers.
Pham Linh
