Strengthened actions taken to combat African swine fever
As of July 30, 2023, the African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks in Hanoi and across Vietnam are causing significant concern, with the disease spreading to 28 out of 34 provinces by mid-2023 and escalating further [1][2]. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has reported over 970 outbreaks since the beginning of the year, affecting more than 30,000 pigs, which were culled to control the spread [1].
The government has taken measures to manage ASF, including a national plan initiated in 2020 aimed at ASF prevention and control, focusing on biosecurity, surveillance, and culling policies [3]. The Prime Minister issued urgent directives to provincial and government levels to strengthen control efforts [1][2][3].
Vaccination efforts began in 2023 with the approval and commercial use of the first home-grown ASF vaccines, including those made by NAVETCO and AVAC. However, vaccine uptake remains low—estimated at around 30% in some provinces—due to concerns about vaccine availability, cost, and efficacy [1][2][3]. The government continues promoting vaccination alongside other biosecurity and prevention measures, as vaccination alone is considered only a supporting tool.
In Hanoi, as of July 30, African swine fever was occurring in 19 communes and wards, with over 8,400 pigs forced to be destroyed [1]. The selling, buying, transporting, slaughtering, and consuming sick and dead pigs, as well as dumping pig carcasses into the environment, is making the epidemic complicated and increasing in Vietnam [1].
The government is also emphasising the need for strengthening information dissemination and public communication across the political system and the general population to raise awareness on disease prevention and control [1]. By the end of 2020, nearly nine million pigs had to be culled in Vietnam, resulting in an estimated loss of about VNĐ30 trillion (US$1.26 billion) [1].
The African swine fever outbreak began in Vietnam in February 2019 and has since seriously affected the pig farming industry, food supply, and environment, negatively impacting socio-economic development and food safety [1]. Measures for disease control should be implemented in conjunction with production, processing, slaughtering, trading, and distribution of pork to ensure food safety and prevent counterfeit or substandard products [1].
African swine fever has spread to over 60 countries, causing significant damage to the global pig farming industry [1]. The focus should be on implementing synchronised technical and professional measures, including vaccination, proactive disease prevention, and timely epidemic response, as guided by specialised livestock and veterinary authorities [1][3]. The Ministry has asked cities and provinces to prepare funds and human resources for disease prevention and control for the 2025-30 period, and review and improve the capacity of State management agencies for husbandry and veterinary sectors [1][3].
In conclusion, the African swine fever outbreak in Vietnam is a persistent challenge, with over 970 outbreaks reported as of July 30, 2023. Control efforts involve vaccination, biosecurity enforcement, culling, and directive-led government coordination, but challenges remain due to low vaccination coverage and the disease’s rapid spread. The government continues to take measures to ensure food safety, prevent counterfeit or substandard products, and recover and stabilise the pig farming industry once the disease is under control.
References:
[1] Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. (2023). Asian Swine Fever (ASF) Outbreak in Vietnam. Retrieved from https://www.mard.gov.vn/en/Pages/asian-swine-fever-asf.aspx
[2] Vietnam News. (2023). African swine fever outbreaks continue to plague Vietnam. Retrieved from https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/936768/african-swine-fever-outbreaks-continue-to-plague-vietnam.html
[3] Government of Vietnam. (2020). National Action Plan for African Swine Fever (ASF) Prevention and Control in Vietnam. Retrieved from https://www.mard.gov.vn/Uploads/Documents/2020/11/18/National-Action-Plan-for-African-Swine-Fever-ASF-Prevention-and-Control-in-Vietnam.pdf
- The government's response to the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in Vietnam extends beyond just agriculture, as it also involves measures in health-and-wellness, environment, culture, and science, aiming to prevent the disease's spread and ensure food safety.
- As the African swine fever outbreak affects more than just the farming industry, it could potentially impact economic growth and socio-economic development, thereby affecting the broader business sector in Vietnam.
- With the rapid spread of ASF and concerns about vaccine availability, cost, and efficacy, there is an increasing need for artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced science to develop more effective vaccines and predictive models for disease control in the future.
