VIENTIANE, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Laos' Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has issued a plan outlining measures to combat, prevent, and mitigate the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF), which is currently affecting several areas across the country.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Bouahong Khamha, director general of the ministry's Department of Livestock and Fisheries, said ASF has been reported in seven provinces and 91 districts across Laos, resulting in the loss of 14,002 pigs and estimated financial losses of more than 58.8 billion Lao kip (about 2.5 million U.S. dollars).
The affected provinces are Phongsaly, Xayaboury, Xaysomboun, Huaphan, Lao capital Vientiane, Oudomxay, and Luang Prabang. Of the pigs lost, 10,041 died from the disease, while 3,961 were culled in accordance with technical protocols to prevent further transmission.
Bouahong said officials at all levels are closely monitoring the outbreak and implementing measures aimed at early detection, prevention, and containment.
Although the outbreak is gradually subsiding, it has not yet been fully brought under control, he said, urging authorities, farmers, businesses, and the public to closely monitor developments and strictly follow official disease-control measures. ■
