Vietnam’s Dak Lak urgently restores and rebuilds livestock herds after flooding

Strengthening veterinary measures to prevent post-flood disease outbreaks

According to Nguyen Van Minh, Director of the Dak Lak Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health, the current top priority is disease control, particularly dangerous infectious diseases that tend to increase after floods.

The veterinary sector is focusing on collecting and properly disposing of animal carcasses in accordance with technical regulations to minimize disease pathogens and environmental pollution.

Animal carcasses must be securely sealed or lined with waterproof materials during transportation.

Burial pits must be located at least 30 meters away from residential areas, water wells, and livestock shelters, with lime applied, disinfectants sprayed, and thick soil layers used to ensure biosecurity.

At the same time, cleaning and disinfection of livestock housing are being intensified. Farmers are required to collect waste and manure, remove mud and debris, and then spray disinfectant chemicals.

Disinfection should be carried out daily during the first week after flooding and maintained at least once a week thereafter until conditions are safe for restocking.

Once livestock herds have recovered, local authorities will organize supplementary vaccinations with essential vaccines such as:

• hemorrhagic septicemia, foot-and-mouth disease, and lumpy skin disease for cattle and buffalo;
• classical swine fever and hemorrhagic septicemia for pigs;
• and avian influenza, Newcastle disease, and duck plague for poultry.

Cautious restocking to ensure biosecurity

During post-flood livestock care, farming areas, feeding troughs, and water containers must be regularly cleaned and disinfected in accordance with technical procedures.

Livestock should be classified, with weak, young, or symptomatic animals isolated for close monitoring and timely treatment.

Nutritional supplements, electrolytes, and vitamins should be provided to reduce stress and strengthen immunity.

Regarding restocking plans, Dak Lak province estimates a demand for approximately 20,000 pigs, 10,000 cattle, and 1 million poultry and waterfowl.

However, restocking will only be carried out once barns have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected and left empty for at least 15-30 days after flooding.

Breeding stock must have clear origins, be properly quarantined, and be fully vaccinated.

Newly introduced animals must be kept in isolation for a minimum of 21 days, with trial stocking at only 10-20% of barn capacity for monitoring.

If abnormal signs are detected, farmers must immediately report to veterinary officers and must not sell animals prematurely or dispose of carcasses improperly into the environment.

Beyond Dak Lak, many other localities such as Ha Tinh have also recorded farm models that proactively delay restocking while providing breeding stock and technical support to farmers to ensure disease safety.

The ‘sounds’ returning to livestock barns after storms and floods reflect the close cooperation between agricultural extension services, veterinary authorities, and farmers in the journey to restore livestock production toward stable and sustainable development.