BANGKOK, Nov 11 (TNA) — Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on convenes a national committee to discuss measures to control and eliminate African swine fever (ASF) on Nov 15.
Mr Chalermchai said that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha formed the committee on Oct 15 and its head, Deputy Prime Minister Jurin Laksanavisit, had him, as its deputy head, convene the meeting on Nov 15 to work out policies and measures to cope with the disease and help affected people.
The government, the private sector, state enterprises, local administrative organizations and other parties would participate in the efforts that would include effective and efficient surveillance and implementation of relevant policies and measures, Mr Chalermchai said.
The Livestock Development Department reported on Oct 8 that 27 provinces in the country were declared zones for ASF surveillance and most of them or 22 were border provinces.
“Although ASF is not transmitted from animals to humans, the agriculture ministry places great importance to its surveillance and prevention because it is a severe epidemic among swine, the mortality rate is 100% and there has not been a vaccine or drug to cure it… Thailand needs measures to prevent damage to its economy,” Mr Chalermchai said.
ASF was spreading in China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and South Korea, he said. (TNA)
