Foot and mouth disease vaccination: “Shield” to protect livestock

(GLO)- Currently, the weather in Gia Lai province is in the transitional season, the risk of disease outbreaks in buffalo and cattle is very high, especially foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

Therefore, vaccination to create a "shield" to protect livestock is being urgently deployed by localities.

Mr. Yem is taking care of a herd of cows that have just been vaccinated against FMD. Photo: NH

For about a week, livestock farmers in Thung Dor village (An Phu commune, Pleiku city) have been working closely with the commune's veterinary staff and the Pleiku City Agricultural Service Center to vaccinate cattle against FMD for the first time in 2025. Mr. Yem happily said: "My family has been raising cattle for many years. In recent years, FMD often appears in the rainy season, so my family has always focused on disease prevention for the cattle. Recently, veterinary staff from the city and commune came to vaccinate cattle against FMD. Vaccination will prevent the disease and reduce economic losses."

Similarly, Ms. H'My (in the same village) shared: For a long time, the family has not paid attention to regular vaccinations for the herd of cattle. Recently, the veterinarian came to vaccinate the cattle against FMD and gave instructions on how to care for and prevent diseases, we have learned a lot of useful knowledge. Currently, the family is focusing on planting grass, buying straw to store food during the rainy season to help the herd of cattle improve their health and prevent diseases.

According to the provincial Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine (Department of Agriculture and Environment), since the beginning of the year, the province's livestock has developed steadily. The province's total buffalo herd is currently over 13,480, cows are about 494,376 and pigs are about 989,900. Most infectious diseases such as FMD, African swine fever, lumpy skin disease and blue ear disease have been detected and prevented by local authorities in a timely manner, preventing widespread spread. Farmers have also proactively vaccinated against diseases, contributing to limiting the occurrence of epidemics in livestock.

Recently, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 865/QD-TTg on the provision of FMD vaccine from the national reserve to localities for FMD prevention; in which, Gia Lai was supported with 428,475 doses of type O vaccine to vaccinate buffalo and cattle. After receiving the vaccine, the Department of Agriculture and Environment allocated it to 16/17 localities to implement the FMD vaccination plan for the first phase of 2025 from May 16 to June 25.

Veterinary staff of Dak Doa District Agricultural Service Center vaccinate cattle of people in Ha Bau commune against FMD. Photo: NH

Mr. Tran Van Dang - Director of the Pleiku City Agricultural Service Center - informed: After receiving 2,300 doses of type O vaccine, the Center has deployed vaccination for buffalo and cow herds in the area. To date, more than 1,900 doses have been vaccinated for buffalo and cow herds in 6 communes and wards; the remaining vaccines are being continued by localities to ensure vaccination according to the plan to limit the appearance of FMD, causing damage to livestock farmers. The good news is that most livestock farmers in communes and wards have recognized the danger of FMD and have proactively coordinated with veterinary forces, keeping livestock at home for vaccination.

Talking to reporters, Mr. Thai Van Dung - Head of the Provincial Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine - said: With the goal of creating a proactive immune system, the unit has consulted on developing a plan to vaccinate 2 times/year. In which, the first time is carried out from April to May and the second time is at the end of the year. Recently, some localities have proactively spent their budget to buy FMD vaccine to vaccinate livestock in the area.

In addition, the local Agricultural Service Centers have also stepped up propaganda and mobilized people and businesses to participate in the purchase of FMD vaccines, contributing to limiting the epidemic. Recently, the Government has supported FMD type O vaccines for vaccination of livestock to create a proactive "shield" to prevent FMD from appearing in the future.

“Gia Lai is entering the transitional weather period, the livestock environment is not guaranteed, the resistance of livestock is reduced, which is a favorable condition for pathogens in livestock to break out, especially FMD. Therefore, livestock farmers need to proactively coordinate with specialized agencies to vaccinate their livestock at the right time to protect their livestock from damage caused by FMD” - the Head of the Provincial Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine recommended.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/tiem-phong-vac-xin-lo-mom-long-mong-la-chan-bao-ve-dan-vat-nuoi-post325199.html