The peak month for sanitation and disease prevention in livestock

Mr. Pham Truong Yen, Deputy Director of Can Tho city's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated that the the city is currently implementing the second phase of the campaign dictated under Official Document No. 5838 dated August 22, 2023, issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Accordingly, the campaign involves a month-long comprehensive sanitation, disinfection, and environmental detoxification activities nationwide in 2023.

The objectives of this campaign are to proactively prevent the occurrence and spread of dangerous livestock and poultry diseases, and prevent the transmission of diseases from animals to humans, ensuring the safety of livestock development.

For concentrated livestock and poultry farming facilities, it is necessary to illuminate the surrounding vegetation, clean and collect waste for incineration or burial, and maintain proper drainage. In addition, it is important to detoxify and disinfect the livestock housing area, breeding areas, and the surrounding vicinity on a weekly basis. Vehicles used in the transportation of livestock, poultry, livestock products, and feed must also undergo sanitation, detoxification, and disinfection before entering and leaving the facilities.

For households engaged in livestock production, it is essential to clean the enclosed areas for livestock and poultry, including grazing and waste collection areas, and collect and dispose of bedding materials by either incineration or burial. Weekly disinfection of the enclosed area for livestock and poultry and the surrounding vicinity is required. Thorough sanitation of transportation vehicles and equipment should be employed after each operation.

For poultry and waterfowl hatching facilities, it is necessary to illuminate the surrounding vegetation, thoroughly clean the incubation area, entrance and exit pathways, and collect eggshells after hatching for regulated disposal. Disinfection should be carried out for the entire hatching facility, entrance and exit pathways, and all vehicles used for transporting newly hatched eggs and poultry on a daily basis.

Concentrated livestock and poultry slaughterhouses must areas for holding livestock and poultry before slaughter. After the animals have been taken for slaughter, the entire holding area must undergo sanitation, detoxification, and disinfection. Vehicles used for transporting animals and animal products must be sanitized, detoxified, and disinfected before leaving the slaughterhouse. Moreover, the slaughterhouse must be sanitized, detoxified, and disinfected after each production shift, and the surrounding vegetation and drainage must be regularly maintained.

Processing facilities for animals and animal products must undergo regular sanitation, detoxification, and disinfection after each production shift. Collection points and the trading areas in livestock markets for live animals and animal products must also undergo sanitation, detoxification, and disinfection after each market session.

In areas dedicated to the quarantine and inspection of animals, it is imperative to conduct routine sanitation and disinfection procedures, with a minimum frequency of once per week during the duration of the animal quarantine period. Furthermore, public spaces, streets, and alleyways must undergo sweeping, cleaning, and disinfection on a weekly basis, in accordance with local initiatives. Regarding the transport of animals and animal products, it is crucial to employ regular sanitation and disinfection protocols following each operation.

For locations involved in the interment, processing, and disposal of afflicted animals and animal products, disinfection procedures must be carried out in compliance with local guidelines. Additionally, a consistent regimen of sanitation and disinfection for vehicles employed in the transportation of animals and animal products must be implemented at animal inspection stations and checkpoints.

Mr. Pham Truong Yen emphasized that an extensive campaign will be undertaken from September 25, 2023 until September 29, 2023 to disseminate information and mobilize households and livestock facilities to deploy production area sanitation and environmental sanitation activities. Subsequently, from September 30, 2023 to October 25, 2023, the sanitation and disinfection campaign will be deployed. From October 26, 2023 to October 31, 2023, there will be an evaluation and reporting phase concerning the campaign's implementation.