Increasing concerns over the spread of African swine fever across the nation are raised by authorities.
The resurgence of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, is causing concern for the country's livestock sector, which contributes significantly to the nation's agricultural output. According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phùng Đức Tiến, ASF accounts for 25-26% of the total agricultural output.
Recent reports indicate that more than 29,000 pigs have been affected by these outbreaks, with nearly 20,000 currently infected. Over 30,000 pigs have died or been culled due to these outbreaks.
Phan Quang Minh, Deputy Director of the Department of Livestock Production and Veterinary Medicine, has warned that the disease is showing signs of increasing again, particularly in small-scale, low-biosecurity farms. The resurgence of ASF is attributed to six key factors: widespread small-scale farming without adequate biosecurity, low vaccination uptake, concealment of outbreaks by farmers, illegal and unregulated slaughtering practices, weak enforcement of veterinary laws, and limited communication on disease control regulations.
To strengthen ASF prevention and control, officials proposed tightening penalties for hiding outbreaks and trading infected pigs, expanding vaccination coverage, improving biosecurity at farms, and enhancing the capacity of local veterinary authorities, especially at the commune level.
Phùng Đức Tiến recalled a major ASF outbreak in 2020 that led to the culling of nearly 9 million pigs and drove the country's consumer price index up by 6.73%. Since the beginning of 2025, 514 outbreaks of ASF have been recorded in 27 provinces.
Despite these challenges, there are signs of progress. Pork output has risen by 3.8%, while poultry increased by 3.4%. The livestock sector has grown 5.4% in the first six months, close to its annual target of 5.7-5.9%. Compared to the same period in 2024, the number of outbreaks has decreased by 41%, and the number of pigs culled has dropped by more than 60%.
However, ASF and cross-border smuggling remain major threats to the livestock sector. To address these threats, authorities have called for stricter disease surveillance, early detection and reporting, immediate culling of infected pigs, and stronger controls on the transportation, slaughter, and sale of pigs and pork products.
In the face of these challenges, the Deputy Minister emphasised the importance of coordinated action involving strict biosecurity, active surveillance, farmer engagement, and robust government enforcement to prevent and control ASF outbreaks effectively. The success of these efforts will be crucial in maintaining the growth momentum of the livestock sector and safeguarding the nation's food security.
- The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phùng Đức Tiến is calling for stricter enforcement of veterinary laws, as one of the factors contributing to the resurgence of African Swine Fever (ASF) is the widespread disregard of these laws.
- The medical-conditions affecting pigs due to ASF are not only causing concern for farmers but also for the nation's health-and-wellness, as pork and poultry are significant contributors to the Vietnamese diet.
- In the midst of the challenges posed by ASF and cross-border smuggling, there's a growing need for the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Medicine in the development of more effective vaccines to combat these threats.
- The cultural implications of ASF extends beyond the agricultural sector, as its impact on food security can have long-lasting effects on the economy and society at large in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.
- The resurgence of ASF and its impact on the environment should serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of our world, with the national security and health of one country potentially influencing the global arena, much like a war or a scientific discovery would.
