Animal health agencies continued to take samples from pig farms for testing on March 12, with samples being taken in the districts of Yen Dinh, Thieu Hoa, Thuong Xuan, Cam Thuy, Hoang Hoa, and Nong Cong.

The samples from the communes of Dinh Binh and Dinh Thanh in Yen Dinh district tested positive to the ASF virus.

Furthermore, dead pigs were also discovered in Thieu Vu commune, and were therefore forced to be culled. As of March 13, local authorities have culled a total of 664 pigs.

Thanh Hoa is considered a gateway location by which the ASF epidemic can be prevented from spreading to the south of the country. Dang Van Hieu, head of the Thanh Hoa provincial veterinary department, said local authorities have taken drastic measures to prevent the epidemic from spreading further.