Vietnam has reported a sharp rise in African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks, with cases more than tripling in two weeks, state media said Tuesday. The country has confirmed 972 outbreaks and over 100,000 infected pigs this year, up from 514 outbreaks and 30,000 cases in mid-July, according to Reuters.
ASF is a highly contagious viral disease affecting pigs, with no cure or treatment. While harmless to humans, it is almost always fatal to pigs and poses a serious threat to food security and the pork industry.
The disease has spread nationwide, prompting Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to order urgent containment measures. Although Vietnam was the first to commercially roll out an ASF vaccine in 2023, uptake remains low due to cost and efficacy concerns, Reuters reported.
