Da Nang builds a 'shield' for sustainable livestock farming

From treatment to prevention

Having raised cattle since 2002, Ho Quang Hai from Nhi Dinh 2 village, Dien Ban Tay commune, currently keeps a herd of 25 cattle, mainly 3B (Blanc Bleu Belge) and crossbred cattle. In his experience, timely vaccination is the single most important measure for protecting livestock from disease outbreaks.

"A few years ago, I became complacent and skipped vaccinations. My cattle contracted disease, and I lost two animals. Since then, my family has strictly followed the vaccination schedule recommended by the local veterinary authorities. Disease outbreaks are becoming more common, so vaccination is vital for successful livestock farming," he said.

Whenever the local vaccination schedule is announced, Hai keeps his cattle at home so veterinary staff can administer vaccines on-site. Livestock farming is his family's primary source of income, so cooperating with vaccination campaigns not only protects the herd but also reduces long-term risks. Thanks to consistent vaccination over the years, his cattle have remained largely free of disease.

According to Le Thi Hong Phuoc, Deputy Director of the Dien Ban Tay Public Service Supply Center, the center has received continuous technical guidance and support from the Da Nang Sub-Department of Animal Health and Production throughout the vaccination campaign. During March and April 2026, the center worked with the commune's Economic Division and all 30 villages to survey livestock numbers and prepare a vaccination plan, including detailed schedules for each village.

To ensure an effective campaign, the center consulted the commune People's Committee to establish three vaccination teams, each headed by the village chief. Before implementation, meetings were held with the teams to agree on vaccination schedules, government subsidies, farmers' contributions, and implementation methods to ensure smooth and coordinated operations. Public awareness campaigns have also been strengthened through the commune's loudspeaker system, village meetings, and direct notifications to households.

During the first vaccination round of 2026, local veterinary teams administered 2,759 doses of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine to buffaloes and cattle, covering 80.1% of the herd, and 1,798 doses of classical swine fever vaccine, reaching 84.1% of pigs.

"The first vaccination campaign achieved a relatively high coverage rate. Many farmers proactively registered and cooperated with veterinary workers from the outset. This reflects a positive shift in common mindset from disease treatment to active disease prevention," Phuoc said.

The commune is continuing to review livestock numbers and provide supplementary vaccinations for newly raised livestock, poultry, dogs, and cats, animals whose immunity has expired, and those that missed the first vaccination round.

Building herd immunity for sustainable livestock production

Reports from the Da Nang Sub-Department of Animal Health and Production show that the city currently has more than 10 million livestock and poultry. The livestock population totals 645,867 head, including 51,284 buffaloes, 190,893 cattle, and 403,690 pigs, while poultry numbers reach 9,703,900, including 7,795,300 chickens.

With such a large animal population, combined with the continued prevalence of small-scale farming scattered across many localities, the risk of disease outbreaks and transmission remains significant. Unpredictable weather and the transportation, trading, and slaughter of livestock and poultry also pose ongoing risks, making proactive disease prevention essential.

Recognizing vaccination as the cornerstone of disease prevention, the sub-department has coordinated with local authorities to implement vaccination campaigns according to schedule. Vaccination is organized in phases based on actual livestock conditions, with priority given to areas with large animal populations, previous disease hotspots, high-risk zones, and small-scale farms dispersed in residential areas.

The first vaccination campaign of 2026 has now been carried out across localities according to plan, although overall coverage remains low. As of June 26, 2026, vaccination rates stood at 22.55% for foot-and-mouth disease in buffaloes and cattle, 3.99% for lumpy skin disease, and 34.41% for rabies in dogs. Many communes and wards have proactively surveyed livestock populations, compiled lists of farming households, and announced detailed vaccination schedules so farmers could confine their animals, making it easier for local veterinary staff to carry out their work.

The Da Nang Sub-Department of Animal Health and Production agency has issued directives urging local authorities to implement the first vaccination campaign of 2026 according to schedule. Thanks to the active involvement of local governments, veterinary services, and livestock farmers, vaccination has been carried out in a coordinated manner, helping establish proactive immunity among livestock and poultry.

According to Dang Ngoc Son, Director of the Da Nang Sub-Department of Animal Health and Production, vaccination not only directly protects individual farmers' animals but also creates a collective "shield" for the wider community. When vaccination coverage is high, disease transmission within animal populations declines, reducing economic losses for farmers and easing the burden of disease control efforts.

Going forward, the sub-department will continue to guide local authorities in reviewing livestock populations, conducting supplementary vaccinations, and preparing for the second vaccination campaign of 2026.

Under Da Nang's 2026-2030 plan for preventing and controlling avian influenza, foot-and-mouth disease, and African swine fever, vaccination has been identified as the central strategy for protecting livestock and reducing the risk of disease outbreaks and transmission.

Alongside vaccination, Da Nang will continue promoting biosecure livestock farming and strengthening cleaning and disinfection at farms, grazing areas, live animal markets, fresh animal product markets, collection points for live animals and animal products, burial and disposal sites for infected animals, animal waste treatment facilities, slaughterhouses, and other high-risk locations. These integrated measures are intended to build a modern, effective animal disease prevention system while supporting the safe and sustainable development of the livestock sector.