Tay Ninh
- The weather in Tay Ninh Province over the past few days has been very hot, with outdoor temperatures reaching 39–40°C for many consecutive days. This is also a locality with many industrial parks, bordering provinces and cities with developed livestock farming such as Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Long An, and bordering Cambodia, so there is always a high potential risk of infectious diseases appearing in animals.
- In response to this situation, the Tay Ninh Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health recommends that livestock owners increase nutrition and supplement minerals and vitamins to improve the resistance of livestock and poultry. In addition, to prevent and control diseases during the hot season, farmers need to prepare sufficient veterinary medicines; ensure full vaccination with necessary vaccines; and regularly clean and disinfect barns and grazing areas.
- In addition, the Tay Ninh Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health has launched the first phase of the 2024 general environmental sanitation and disinfection month for household livestock farms, animal and animal product trading markets; carried out disinfection for poultry and waterfowl farms with fewer than 1,000 birds; quail flocks under 5,000 birds; buffalo and cattle herds under 40 head; and pig herds under 50 head. At the same time, it recommends that concentrated livestock facilities clear grass and trees around barns, sweep up and collect manure and waste for burning or burial, and clear drainage ditches. For poultry and waterfowl hatcheries, the entire hatchery area and access roads should be cleaned, and eggshells should be collected after hatching for disposal.
Bac Lieu
- Bac Lieu Province currently has about 213,098 pigs; 3,165 buffaloes and cattle; and 3,407,000 poultry of all kinds. Since the beginning of the year, one African swine fever outbreak has occurred in the province (Vinh My B Commune, Hoa Binh District), with a total of 5 sick and culled pigs.
- Because of advance forecasts, most livestock households in the province have proactively implemented measures to protect livestock and poultry from hot weather, such as increasing the amount of green vegetables and protein, and supplementing Vitamin C and minerals in the animals’ diets; feeding early in the morning or in the cool of the evening; providing more drinking water; and bathing them 1–2 times a day. In addition, they have strengthened disease prevention measures such as cleaning and disinfecting barns and livestock equipment; fully vaccinating livestock to enhance immunity; and spraying acaricides and fly control chemicals. At the same time, they monitor and detect sick animals early for isolation, treatment, and timely handling to prevent widespread transmission.
- For poultry flocks, households proactively reduce stocking density and clean barns, and adjust the time birds are let out into the yard to limit exposure to hot weather; proactively add Vitamin C and electrolytes to the diet to help poultry cool down and increase resistance, and regularly improve the rice-husk bio-bedding to decompose waste, deodorize, keep the barn clean, and create a clean, airy environment.
- For large-scale livestock farms, the provincial Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health recommends reducing stocking density and spacing out production cycles. If the barn is enclosed, temperature must be checked regularly, a generator should be installed to avoid power outages, barns should be renovated to be more ventilated, or exhaust fans should be used to increase air circulation, reduce temperature, and lower toxic gases in the barn. In addition, the health status of livestock should be closely monitored and supervised so that sick animals or poultry can be detected in time for isolation, treatment, and prompt handling, especially for digestive, respiratory, and infectious diseases; vaccination for livestock should also be carried out proactively in accordance with regulations.
Ca Mau
- Ca Mau Province currently has about 98,600 pigs and 3.2 million poultry. Since the beginning of the year, the province has recorded 839 pigs that died from common diseases, and 14 African swine fever outbreaks have occurred in 12 communes and 2 towns across 5 districts; no poultry disease has been reported.
- Although the disease situation in the province’s livestock herds is well controlled and has not increased, the Ca Mau livestock sector is not complacent, especially during hot weather, when livestock resistance is weakened, making them more susceptible to disease.
- To stay proactive, the Ca Mau Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health has been promoting communication and guidance for livestock facilities to strictly apply biosecurity measures, organize active disease surveillance at facilities, and regularly clean and disinfect with lime powder, chemicals, and sterilization at livestock areas and high-risk areas such as markets, trading points, and slaughterhouses for livestock and poultry. In addition, farmers are advised to buy breeding stock from reputable sources, with clear origins and veterinary quarantine certificates. In particular, newly purchased breeding stock should be raised in isolation for 15–20 days before being introduced into the herd, and farmers are also advised to fully vaccinate their livestock periodically.
- According to the forecast of the Southern Regional Hydro-Meteorological Center, this year’s hot season will end later than in previous years. From now until mid-May, the region will still experience widespread heat waves, with some places suffering severe heat. The highest daytime temperatures are forecast at 35–38°C, with some places above 38°C. Therefore, livestock households need to proactively implement heat-prevention measures according to the recommendations of the authorities, ensure the safety of livestock, and limit the emergence of disease.
Source: Thuy Khanh (Compiled)
