In recent days, functional bodies across Da Nang have made every effort to tighten their controls over pig farms, slaughtering areas, markets, and trading areas of pigs and pork products. The intention is to prevent the spread of African swine fever (ASF) to the city as the risks of transmission from neighbouring localities increase.

Recent days have seen a significant decrease in the consumption of pork products at local markets compared with normal days.

The Head of the municipal Agency of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Mr Cao Xuan Thai, said before ASF outbreaks have been found in the northern localities, a daily average of between 3,200 and 4,500 pigs on between 18 and 25 trucks are transported from northern to southern localities passing through the city.

He, however, remarked in recent days, the number of pig transportation vehicles from northern to southern localities passing through the city has droped significantly to between 3 and 5 per day.

The main reason is thought to be that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary have tightened the granting of quarantine certificates in northern localities. Moreover, some southern localities have imposed a ban on pig slaughtering from ASF-hit northern localities.

Mr Thai also confirmed pork products on sale in Da Nang are safe to eat because the majority of pigs at local slaughterhouses are imported from Binh Dinh Province, and from pig farms in the city and Quang Nam Province under the management of the Viet Nam CP Livestock Joint Stock Company.

A veterinary staff member spraying Benkocid chemicals for a pig transporting vehicle at the Kim Lien quarantine station.

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.

Mrs Nguyen Thi Van, a small trader selling pork at the Man Thai Market in Son Tra District, said the price of pork products is slightly dropping because local residents are eating less pork.

Currently, top priority is being given to raising public awareness amongst farmers and residents about the danger level of ASF, and taking proactive measures to prevent the spead of the epidemic to the city.

Cleaning and disinfecting have been frequently carried out at pig farms, slaughtering areas, markets, and trading areas of pigs and pork products.

In addition, the Agency of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary has supplied 1,152 litres of Benkocid chemicals solution to local districts in order to help them take proactive measures to contain ASF.