Official sources report that, according to the city Veterinary Department, PRRS is highly likely to spread to areas yet to be affected since many districts have not taken the drastic measures ordered by the Government to cope with it.

Under the new direction, the city government has told districts to intensify monitoring of the transport, trade and slaughter of pigs affected by the disease and impose strict penalties on violators.

The city also ordered them to inform the Department of Industry and Trade as well as slaughterhouses about the number of healthy pigs ready for slaughter.

Besides, they are required to continue educating farmers about ways to control the disease while breeding pigs, vaccinating their healthy pigs, and disinfecting breeding facilities.

The city has called on farmers to report outbreaks of the disease immediately so that authorities can take prompt measures to prevent its spread.

Some 20 provinces and cities, mostly in the south, have yet to wipe out the disease.

PRRS has become a threat in HCM City since the city has to buy pigs from other localities to meet demand for pork.

Authorities have, therefore, ordered checkpoints along the city's gateways to closely monitor the transport of pigs.

The demand for pork is expected to rise strongly during the upcoming festive season, especially Tet (lunar New Year) next February.

Further Reading

-

Find out more information on porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome (PRRS) by clicking here.