Urgently deploy solutions to deal with the situation of dead buffaloes

Consecutively from February 6 to 7, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine (DAH) of Quang Tri and local authorities discovered 29 dead buffaloes in Trieu Ai commune, Trieu Phong district and Ba Long and Trieu Nguyen communes, Dakrong district. Some of them had died since the end of January 2025 with signs of suspected anthrax. In this situation, the agricultural sector and localities have deployed response solutions to prevent the spread of the disease.

Professional agencies and local authorities inspect the scene of a dead buffalo in Trieu Ai commune, Trieu Phong district - Photo: LA

Head of the Trieu Phong Inter-District Animal Husbandry Station - Quang Tri Town, Tran Thanh Son, informed that on February 6, after receiving information from the People's Committee of Trieu Ai Commune about the discovery of a large number of dead buffaloes in the forest of households in Kien Phuoc village, the unit coordinated with functional forces and local authorities to conduct an actual inspection and discovered 20 dead buffaloes scattered in the forest in Kien Phuoc village.

Through information gathering, these buffaloes were among 47 buffaloes of 7 households in Ba Long commune, Dakrong district, raised freely in the forest bordering Trieu Phong district. According to Mr. Son, through inspection, some buffaloes had died since around January 30. The dead buffaloes showed signs of bloating of the rumen, protruding anus, bleeding from the nose and mouth; swollen lymph nodes, strong maggot growth, and a strong stench... With the above symptoms, it was determined that the buffaloes died from acute septicemia.

Then, on February 7, through on-site inspection, the specialized agency continued to discover 4 more dead buffaloes in Village 5, Ba Long Commune, Dakrong District. At the same time, according to the people's declaration, there were 5 more dead buffaloes including: 2 in Ba Long Commune and 2 in Trieu Nguyen Commune, Dakrong District.

Thus, as of February 7, the total number of dead buffaloes discovered was 29 out of a total herd of 87 buffaloes belonging to 9 households in Ba Long commune and Trieu Nguyen commune, Dakrong district. Of these, 24 were discovered in Trieu Ai commune, Trieu Phong district and 5 were discovered in Ba Long commune, Dakrong district. According to the assessment of the professional agency, based on the signs and symptoms of the dead buffaloes, it is suspected that the animals suffered from acute septicemia.

Mr. Tran Thanh Son said that immediately after discovering the dead buffalo, the unit sent a document requesting the People's Committee of Trieu Ai commune to coordinate with relevant departments, agencies and households with dead buffalo to destroy them to limit the spread of the disease. Inform the local people about the disease situation to coordinate in disease prevention work.

Continue to monitor the herds of buffalo and cows grazing in the area, and at the same time, propagate to the people to bring the buffalo and cows back to the barn to carry out emergency vaccination to limit the spread of disease. Organize disinfection of the livestock environment. Request households with sick cattle to commit to confine the cattle in the barn and not let them roam outside.

Monitor the epidemic situation; support livestock owners in disease prevention, care and treatment regimens. At the same time, review and count the current buffalo and cow herds in the area to implement the vaccination plan for the Spring crop of 2025 as planned.

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Phu Quoc, the cause of the mass buffalo deaths may be due to the fact that the cattle of these households are mainly raised freely in the forest, not being vaccinated regularly, combined with the changing weather, causing the resistance of the animals to decrease. Currently, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has directed the Department of Animal Health to inspect and take samples for testing to send to the Department of Animal Health of Region 3 to determine the cause, with results expected in the next 3-4 days.

According to Mr. Quoc, to quickly control and stabilize the livestock situation, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has sent a document requesting the People's Committees of Trieu Phong, Dakrong, Cam Lo districts and Quang Tri town to direct localities to urgently organize the destruction of all discovered dead buffaloes in accordance with regulations.

Strengthen inspection and monitoring of livestock herds, early detection of buffaloes and cows showing signs of disease to promptly contain and handle outbreaks. Instruct breeders to immediately notify local authorities and commune veterinary staff when buffaloes and cows show signs of disease or die so that preventive measures can be promptly implemented. Review and count the total livestock herd in the area; prepare to vaccinate buffaloes and cows against anthrax in the locality according to the instructions of specialized agencies.

Direct specialized agencies to strengthen inspection and supervision, closely monitor the area, promptly detect sick and dead buffaloes and cows to coordinate in taking samples for testing and implementing prevention and control solutions; guide breeders to strengthen environmental sanitation and disinfection. At the same time, prepare enough vaccines and materials to promptly supply and implement vaccination for buffalo and cow herds in localities.

According to experts, anthrax is an infectious disease caused by bacteria in buffaloes and cows with typical signs of hematoma and bleeding in specific locations throughout the body. Bacteria often enter the blood causing blood infection. Buffaloes and cows often get the disease in 3 forms: malignant, acute, chronic.

The most common form is the acute form. The disease progresses over 3-5 days. The mortality rate is up to 90-100%. If the disease turns into sepsis, the animal will die within 24-36 hours. To prevent the disease, it is necessary to vaccinate regularly; regularly clean the barn, periodically disinfect and sterilize; and increase the animal's resistance.

According to the Head of the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department Nguyen Trung Hau, in order to control, prevent and limit the spread of diseases in cattle and buffalo herds, breeders need to immediately report to local authorities and veterinary officers when they discover sick cattle and buffaloes. Absolutely do not buy or sell sick cattle and buffaloes; do not slaughter cattle and buffaloes that have died of unknown causes. When discovering dead cattle, it is necessary to report quickly and organize burial according to the instructions of veterinary agencies.

For localities where sick buffaloes and cows are detected, it is necessary to inspect all livestock facilities in the area to detect cases of sick buffaloes and cows. Isolate sick buffaloes and cows; do not transport or slaughter sick buffaloes and cows and treat the disease according to the instructions of veterinary agencies. At the same time, apply comprehensive epidemic prevention measures to control, contain and extinguish the disease in a small area. Conduct destruction and burial of dead buffaloes and cows according to procedures immediately after detection. Clean and disinfect barns, livestock areas and entrances.

Based on clinical manifestations and symptoms, antibiotics such as Streptomycine; Gentamycine; Ampicilline; Tetracycline; Gentatylo, Enrofloxacine... can be used for treatment with dosage and method according to the manufacturer's detailed instructions. At the same time, add antipyretics, heart and strength-enhancing drugs such as: Caffeine, Anagin C and Vitamin B1, Vitamin C for pets to cure the disease faster and more effectively.

Le An

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/khan-truong-trien-khai-cac-giai-phap-ung-pho-voi-tinh-hinh-trau-chet-191601.htm