Vietnam's Pig Farmers Get New Tools to Fight Deadly Swine Fever

A recent workshop highlighted new ways to tackle African swine fever (ASF) among Vietnam's smallholder pig farmers. Held on October 23, the event shared findings from a joint Vietnamese-Australian study aimed at strengthening biosecurity measures. The research focused on practical solutions to reduce disease risks in key pig-producing regions.

The study originally planned to cover three provinces but ultimately analysed data from Gia Lai and Dak Lak. Despite this adjustment, researchers identified key biosecurity gaps and cost-effective fixes. For instance, ensuring pigs have access to clean water can cut disease susceptibility by up to five times. Regular water quality testing was recommended as a simple yet powerful step.

Proper quarantine practices also proved critical. Isolating pigs returning from markets or other farms reduced infection risks by up to sixfold. Meanwhile, basic hygiene—such as cleaning boots and hands before entering pig pens—could slash disease threats by up to ten times.

At the workshop, experts stressed the urgency of action. Dr. Pham Cong Thieu, head of the National Institute of Animal Sciences, warned that ASF has caused heavy losses for farmers and disrupted supply chains across all 34 provinces. This year alone, the Ministry of Agriculture reported 1,780 outbreaks nationwide.

Dr. Kim Wimbush, CSIRO counsellor and director of Aus4Innovation, commended the collaboration between farmers, policymakers, and researchers. The workshop's goal was to turn the study's findings into tailored guidelines, helping farmers adopt affordable yet effective biosecurity measures.

The study's recommendations now offer a roadmap for farmers to curb ASF and other biosecurity threats. By implementing simple changes—like better water management, stricter quarantine, and improved hygiene—smallholders can significantly reduce disease risks. The next step involves rolling out these guidelines to protect livestock and stabilise Vietnam's pork supply.