Vaccine to prevent lumpy skin disease before March 20

After more than 2 months of the outbreak, the epidemic of lumpy skin disease infected 75 cows of people in Tung Loc and Thuan Thien communes (Can Loc district); Xuan Thanh (Nghi Xuan district); Phu Luu, Mai Phu, Thach Chau, Hong Loc (Loc Ha district). Of these, 8 cows died and were destroyed.

Mr Tran Hung, Director of the Ha Tinh Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, said that although the entire political system has taken drastic action against the epidemic, due to the rainy and humid weather conditions, the protective immunity of the vaccines in the 2nd round of 2023 vaccination has ended, so the pathogens are still smouldering and spreading.

"Currently the most urgent thing is to strictly isolate diseased cattle and cover 100% of the total cattle herd with vaccines to prevent lumpy skin disease", Mr. Hung emphasized.

According to the direction of the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province, the deadline to complete the first round of vaccination for lumpy skin disease in 2024 for more than 235,000 buffaloes and cows is March 20. So there are only 6 days left for localities to carry out this task.

The latest direction of the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province, Vo Trong Hai, requires localities with outbreaks of lumpy skin disease to mobilize resources to completely handle outbreaks. To prevent the disease from breaking out and spreading to a large area, we must quickly vaccinate to prevent lumpy skin disease. At least 80% of the total buffalo and cow population is subject to vaccination, completed before March 20, 2024.

It was noted that in Loc Ha district these days, despite the unfavourable weather, officials of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; The District Center for Science and Technology Application and Plant and Livestock Protection directly "handle" the commune veterinary force to vaccinate each household.

After more than 1 week of focused implementation (from March 7 to 13), the locality increased the total number of vaccinated buffaloes and cows to more than 1,800. From now until March 20, the locality strive to complete vaccination for the remaining 2,000 buffaloes and cows.

Mr Le Hong Co, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Loc Ha district, said that after the directive of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, the district has asked localities to review and accurately make statistics of the total cattle herd in the area, especially in epidemic-hit communes and threatened areas. This is to serve as a basis for thorough and timely vaccination. The district is also considering a policy to support funding for vaccination to improve immunity for livestock.

“The determination of the government and the professional sector is only the secondary priority. If we want to suppress the epidemic and prevent the spread of the disease, the awareness of livestock farmers is the most important factor. We urge people not to let cattle roam freely at this time, and to closely monitor the health of livestock, when detecting any unusual signs, you must immediately notify the authorities and the veterinary force. For households with diseased cattle and buffaloes, do not sell diseased cattle and carry out treatment according to the instructions of veterinary staff", Mr Co emphasized.

For the Nghi Xuan district, Ha Tinh Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sub-department directly sent specialized staff to organize rescue operations, guiding communes and towns to focus on speeding up vaccination progress.

Mr. Le Van Du, Vice Chairman of Xuan Thanh Commune People's Committee (Nghi Xuan) informed that the commune has currently vaccinated 250/508 buffaloes and cows. After the meeting with the Provincial Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sub-department, the locality rearranged the organizational work, taking advantage of favourable weather to mobilize forces and grasp the areas to complete vaccination before March 17, ensuring vaccine coverage of over 80% of the total herd.

According to the plan, in the first phase of 2024, Nghi Xuan district strives to complete vaccination of over 2,350 cattle and buffaloes that are subject to vaccination before March 20. At the same time, focus on information and propaganda to raise awareness and understanding of disease prevention for livestock farmers.

Strictly control slaughtering and buying and selling of cattle, especially in epidemic areas. Remind the people not to let cattle roam freely, purchase or sell sick or dead cattle, pay attention to cleaning barns, and report to local authorities as soon as an epidemic is detected...