Thu is a veterinary worker in Chiềng Lương commune. She usually vaccinates pigs, buffaloes and cows in the villages. She also educates farmers about the prevention of different diseases such as lumpy skin disease and foot and mouth disease and African Swine Fever in pigs. Previously, when villages such as Mờn and Ý Lường in this commune had an African Swine Fever outbreak, she told people to dispose of the dead pigs instead of eating them. Farmers were advised to disinfect their farms frequently and not leave their animals to roam. There is no vaccine for African Swine Fever, so biosecurity is key to protecting pigs from the disease.
In the photo, Thu is wearing gloves. Protective equipment includes clothes, gloves, boots and face masks to protect users from infection. In the case of the slaughter of an animal, it is imperative to wear protective equipment to avoid spreading pathogens to the external environment. Used protective equipment must be burned after the animal’s disposal.
Narrator and photographer: Lò Thị Khuyên (Thai ethnicity, 27 years old)
Person in the photo: Lường Thị Thu (Thai ethnicity, 37 years old)