Shift your mindset from 'fighting the epidemic' to 'proactive disease prevention'.

HAIPHONG: Shifting the mindset from 'fighting the epidemic' to 'proactive disease prevention' is key to ensuring food supply for the 2026 Lunar New Year.

In Tan Minh commune, Hai Phong , Mr. Tran Khoa Cuong's pig farm is implementing a "no entry, no exit" strategy. This is a typical "fortress" model established by large-scale livestock farmers to proactively prevent disease outbreaks before government assistance arrives.

The agricultural sector in Hai Phong is undergoing a significant shift in thinking from "fighting the epidemic" to "proactive disease prevention," combining biosecurity in livestock farming with the prevention and control of animal diseases. Photo: Dinh Muoi.

Instead of spraying disinfectant once a day as before, Mr. Cuong has now increased the frequency by 2-3 times, covering everything from living areas to the surrounding perimeter. The process of controlling mechanical sources of infection, the "narrowest openings" where viruses are most likely to enter, has been implemented more thoroughly.

Vehicles transporting feed and supplies must stop at the gate for thorough chemical spraying, especially the undercarriage and tires. Drivers and anyone entering or exiting the premises are required to wear protective clothing, walk through a lime disinfection pit, and absolutely must not come into contact with the livestock area unless absolutely necessary.

"Even the smallest hygiene lapse can cost us the entire herd of pigs. Biosecurity has been crucial to our survival for a long time," Mr. Cuong said.

According to the Hai Phong Department of Fisheries, Livestock and Veterinary Medicine, the unit always advises people, farmers, and livestock farms to adapt to the cold weather and high humidity at the end of the year, which are ideal conditions for viruses to spread. Livestock farmers are required to cover their barns to prevent drafts and supplement vitamins and minerals to enhance the natural resistance of their animals.

From the beginning of the year, the People's Committee of Hai Phong City issued a document requesting localities to focus on solutions to respond to the disease outbreak, identifying vaccination as a fundamental long-term solution. The introduction of vaccines into mass livestock farming is being accelerated to create herd immunity. The disease surveillance system operates 24/7, requiring localities to report daily and strictly punishing cases of concealing outbreaks or selling sick pigs.

In fact, the decisiveness in preventive measures does not stem from the recent resurgence of African swine fever in the locality, but rather from the systematic and consistent efforts of all levels and sectors, resulting in 12 consecutive months of effective control amidst the outbreak in neighboring localities.

As soon as the pigs showed signs of abnormality, the veterinary authorities took samples for testing and immediately destroyed all 31 pigs that tested positive. Temporary quarantine checkpoints were set up, and lime and chemicals were sprayed to create a "clean zone" to prevent the virus from spreading.

Mr. Vu Van Hoat, Head of the Fisheries, Livestock and Veterinary Department of Hai Phong, assessed that, unlike the confusion in the early years, the local response this time was very systematic. The swift destruction of the source of infection and the tightening of disease prevention measures were crucial steps to stop the spread.

Despite the localized resurgence of the disease, Hai Phong's agricultural leaders affirm that the total pig population in the city remains stable at over 130,000 head. The Hai Phong Department of Agriculture and Environment believes that shifting the mindset from "fighting the epidemic" to "proactive disease prevention," combined with strict biosecurity practices in livestock farming, is the only key to ensuring a stable food supply for the upcoming Lunar New Year.

Epidemiologists also noted that the African swine fever virus has high resistance and can survive for a long time in the cold, humid environment of the North, so neighboring localities need to activate a high level of surveillance. For livestock farmers who need to restock their herds for Tet (Lunar New Year), they must absolutely not import breeding stock of unknown origin. Vaccination should be carefully consulted with local veterinary officers to ensure optimal immunization effectiveness.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/chuyen-tu-duy-tu-chong-dich-sang-phong-benh-chu-dong-d787698.html