Vietnam Faces Major African Swine Fever Surge: 30,000 Pigs Lost in 2025

Hanoi: Vietnam is ramping up efforts to combat the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) after more than 514 outbreaks have been reported in the first half of 2025. These outbreaks, which span 28 out of the country's 34 provinces, have resulted in the deaths or culling of over 30,000 pigs, according to Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

In response to the growing crisis, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued a national directive calling for coordinated action from local authorities, veterinary agencies, and various ministries. The directive emphasises the need for immediate detection and containment of outbreaks, strict enforcement of pig culling, and punishment for illegal trading or dumping of infected carcasses, which can contribute to the virus’s spread.

According to the state-run Nhan Dan (People) newspaper, veterinary officials are tasked with helping farmers implement biosecurity measures, establishing disease-free zones, and ensuring timely reporting of new cases. Government ministries have also been instructed to allocate necessary funding, enforce anti-smuggling laws, and boost public awareness regarding ASF prevention.

What Is African Swine Fever?

ASF is a highly contagious viral disease that affects both domestic and wild pigs. While it does not pose a risk to human health and is not transmitted to other animals, it causes severe economic damage due to high pig mortality and disruptions in pork production and trade.

The virus is extremely resilient and can survive in the environment and in pork products for extended periods. It spreads through:

Direct contact with infected pigs

Contaminated materials such as transport vehicles, tools, feed, or food waste

Improper disposal of pig carcasses

Common symptoms in infected pigs include high fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing, breathing difficulties, skin discolouration, and, in some cases, sudden death.

ASF originated in Africa but has since spread across Europe and Asia, with recent cases detected in the Caribbean, posing a serious threat to global pig populations. Currently, there is no vaccine or treatment for ASF, making prevention, early detection, and strict control measures the only effective strategies for managing outbreaks.

The Vietnamese government’s latest directive reflects the urgency of preventing further spread and protecting the country’s pork industry, which plays a vital role in national food security and rural livelihoods.