Although neighbouring localities are facing increased risks of African swine fever (ASF) virus transmission, the Da Nang authorities have reaffirmed the supply of pork in the city is still safe. Therefore, local consumers are advised not to boycott safe pork products.

Shoppers buying pork meat at a supermarket

Although ASF does not affect humans, and pork products from ASF-affected animals are safe to eat, recent days have seen a significant decrease in the consumption of pork products at local markets compared with normal days.

Ms Nguyen Thi Hai, a small trader selling pork at the Con Market, said she has been selling pork products for a long time, so she and other small traders were also worried about the safety and health of their customers and their family members before ASF-related information.

She, however, believed that pork products in the city are still safe to eat because no cases of ASF-infected pigs have been reported in the city.

She also hoped that the local authorities would increase the publicity of information about ASF amongst local residents in order to help them feel more secure to use pork every day.

Mr Nguyen Ngoc Tho residing in Hai Chau District remarked in recent days local media agencies have widely publicised that no ASF outbreaks have been discovered in the city, and the ASF virus does not pose a hazard or a risk to humans. Therefore, his family has still eaten pork every day.

Meanwhile, many people have preferred to buy pork at supermarkets. Most notably, the prices of pork products in supermarkets are not too much different from that in traditional markets.

“Recent ASF-related information makes my family feel quite worried. However, as knowing the supply sources of pork in the city are still safe, my family has still eaten pork products normally. I have bought pork at supermarkets in order to feel more secure”, Mrs Truong Thi Y Nhi residing on Hoang Dieu Street underscored.

The origin and quality of pork meat in the city are strictly controlled to ensure the safety of consumers

Most recently, pig breeders have paid special attention to cleaning cages regularly, spraying disinfectant and preventing insects because they could spread the disease.

The municipal authority has also focused on suspending unlicensed pig trading stores, tightening controls over pig transport at quarantine stations, and managing the disinfection of pigs transported on the highway to prevent the spread of disease.

In order to proactively prevent the spread of ASF into Hoa Vang District in particular and the city in general, Mr Nguyen Van Ly, Head of Hoa Vang District’s Agriculture and Rural Development Office, noted the reaction plan has been taken on pig farms of different scales in a bid to ensure early detection and deal with outbreaks.

Veterinary staff across the city are increasing their inspections and monitoring of this diseases amongst pigs.

Pig breeders are encouraged to report cases of the illegal trafficking, slaughtering and transportation of live pigs passing through the locality to the local authorities for timely handling.