HCM CITY — The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development wants 14 vulnerable provinces and cities to take stronger action against the spread of the blue-ear disease among pigs.

They are Ha Noi and Hai Phong and Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Hoa Binh, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Thai Binh, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, and Ninh Binh Provinces.

The epidemic has become widespread and threatens to spread rapidly, but prevention efforts are slack in some provinces, it added.

Bac Ninh and Hoa Binh could prove particularly vulnerable because of the huge number of pig farms and large-scale transportation, trading, and slaughter of the animals.

Besides, they are contiguous to several cities and provinces in the Song Hong (Red River) Delta, which could spark of an epidemic in the area.

To control the epidemic and revive pig farming, the ministry urged the administrations of the 14 cities and provinces to promote awareness among local authorities as well as common people.

It wants them to form task forces to supervise and speed up prevention efforts at affected areas as well as other vulnerable places.

Recently the disease broke out at a large pig breeding centre in Hoa Binh, which was a main source of supply of piglets for the entire province.

In response, Hoa Binh authorities asked the ministry to supply 20,000 vaccines as well as antiseptics and equipment.

They also asked for the province to be listed as an epidemic zone. - VNS