Fresh African swine fever outbreak detected in Lao Cai province

The cause of the latest ASF cases is thought to be local farmers purchasing pigs with an unclear origin from other localities.

In Muong Khuong district, the results from samples taken from the contaminated pig farm in Seo Tung hamlet have come back positive for the ASF virus, with a total of 18 pigs being culled as a result.

More than 200 pigs weighing approximately five tonnes in several communes in Van Ban district, were reported dead after showing signs of suffering from the ASF epidemic.

Upon being informed of the results of the tests, local authorities worked swiftly in co-ordination with relevant agencies to start the process of decontaminating the entire area. This was done whilst setting up various quarantine checkpoints at major transport routes in order to strictly monitor the transportation of pigs and other pork products.

The ASF epidemic was first detected in Lao Cai province in May, 2019, with the impact of cases causing huge losses for pig-farming households. Typically, cases often appear during the transition time between spring and summer each year.