Deputy Director of the Department of Animal Health (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) Dau Ngoc Hao stated that the complete slaughter of livestock infected with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is very challenging, especially in the absence of financial support mechanisms for farmers with infected livestock nationwide.
Below is Mr. Hao’s discussion with VietNamNet about immediate and long-term solutions for the growing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) among livestock.
This Year, the Outbreak is More Severe
– Sir, it is evident that the spread of FMD is currently very rapid among cattle, pigs, and buffaloes across all three regions of the country?
– Mr. Dau Ngoc Hao: Yes, the current spread of this disease is very fast, classified by the world as a pandemic. Therefore, the implementation of measures must also be robust. For instance, when countries detect FMD, they apply measures to cull the entire herd of infected livestock.
However, due to financial challenges in Vietnam, not all localities can implement this measure. Or when the disease is minor, we cannot eradicate it, leading to difficulties in completely eliminating it when the disease spreads widely. We are urgently drafting new regulations on FMD prevention and proposing a support mechanism to apply uniformly across the country.
I have just learned that the People’s Committee of Lam Dong Province has urgently allocated 6 billion VND for FMD prevention efforts in the area. Accordingly, newly infected livestock in the outbreak that must be culled will receive support ranging from 200,000 to 1.5 million VND per animal; costs for disposal will be supported at 50,000 VND for small livestock and 200,000 VND for large livestock. In the short term, the province will also cover 100% of the costs for vaccines and immunization for livestock belonging to poor households and ethnic minority communities.
– But why has the outbreak been so severe this year?
– Mr. Dau Ngoc Hao: The FMD outbreak this year is indeed more serious. This is due to the pathogen persisting within livestock populations.
In the past, we have implemented measures such as culling, zoning, prohibiting transport, and vaccination. However, due to inconsistent execution of these measures—some areas implementing them well while others do not—animals kept for treatment have become carriers of the disease. When they are transported elsewhere or used for breeding, it easily leads to widespread outbreaks and the emergence of new epidemic areas.
Additionally, smuggling across borders continues to occur, bringing in uncontrolled pathogens. The movement of livestock between regions, especially unvaccinated animals, is also a significant cause of the disease.
| Under the orders of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has just provided (free of charge) 340,000 doses of FMD vaccine for three serotypes, 300,000 doses of type O FMD vaccine, and 35,000 liters of disinfectant from the national reserve to support disease prevention for livestock in six provinces: Lao Cai, Bac Kan, Quang Tri, Binh Dinh, Gia Lai, and Kon Tum. |
Moreover, FMD is also a cyclical disease. Every 3 to 5 years, there is an outbreak due to the persistence of the pathogen, which recurs after some time.
Since the beginning of the year, 154 districts and 433 communes in 36 provinces have reported cases of buffaloes, cattle, and pigs infected with FMD. The total number of infected buffaloes and cattle is 26,000, with 10,500 pigs and 47 goats.
– As you mentioned, it is clear that localities are currently facing difficulties in compensation, especially regarding financial support for farmers with infected livestock that must be culled?
– Mr. Dau Ngoc Hao: In fact, compensation is already included in the regulations on support policies, but in practice, it largely depends on localities. Not every locality has the available funds to provide immediate support. Additionally, the assessment of the value of the animals and the timeliness or adequacy of compensation can lead to dissatisfaction among people, as they feel they are at a disadvantage.
Avoid Eating Infected Livestock
– So what are the urgent measures to prevent the disease currently, sir? What recommendations does the Department of Animal Health have for people with infected livestock?
– Mr. Dau Ngoc Hao: The urgent measure right now is to quarantine the outbreak. For localities that can cull, it is encouraged, especially for pig herds. For cattle and buffaloes, zoning should be implemented, along with vaccination and treatment. If the number of affected buffaloes and cattle is small, they should also be culled. The most important thing is that livestock must not be transported from one place to another. This must be a mandatory measure, with no delay.
– Theoretically, this disease does not spread to humans, but if we consume meat from infected livestock, could it affect us?
– Mr. Dau Ngoc Hao: The most significant harm of this disease, in severe cases, is the death of animals. Secondly, it reduces the productivity of the animals, and more importantly, it excretes pathogens, spreading the disease further.
Globally, countries aim to eradicate this disease. Vietnam is one of the members of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and must comply with its regulations. The OIE classifies this disease as a particularly important pandemic, thus imposing stringent regulations. Countries experiencing this disease face significant challenges in trading livestock products, and even other products may be affected.
For humans, in general, consuming any type of infected livestock or poultry is not advisable. While FMD is not like avian influenza, which can be fatal to humans, consuming infected products is clearly not recommended. The best measure remains culling, without slaughtering, trading, or transporting.
– Thank you very much, sir!
Ha Yen (interview conducted)
