Vietnam Investigates Rapidly Rising Cattle and Buffalo Deaths in Nghe An as Toll Reaches 48 Animals

Veterinary authorities in Vietnam’s Nghe An province are investigating a cluster of unexplained cattle and buffalo deaths in Huu Kiem commune, where the reported toll reached 48 animals across 17 households by midday on 9 November, according to Vietnam’s Voice of Vietnam (VOV).

The incident has raised concern among livestock farmers in the mountainous commune, where buffalo and cattle are important household assets and sources of income.

The number of deaths increased rapidly over a short period. VietnamPlus reported 21 deaths by 7 November and 41 by the morning of 9 November. VOV subsequently reported 48 deaths by midday on the same date.

Clinical presentation and suspected cause

Animals reportedly developed acute clinical signs, including:

• High fever.

• Neck swelling.

• Abdominal distension and bloating.

• Frothing or excessive salivation around the mouth.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Rapid deterioration and death.

Initial veterinary assessments have raised suspicion of acute haemorrhagic septicaemia, a serious bacterial disease affecting cattle and buffalo. However, this remains a presumptive clinical assessment rather than a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis.

Samples have been collected by the provincial animal-health authorities and sent for testing. The causative organism and final diagnosis had not been confirmed in the latest reports reviewed.

The clinical presentation warrants urgent investigation, but it is not sufficient to establish haemorrhagic septicaemia or exclude other infectious, toxicological or environmental causes.

Biosecurity and containment measures

Local authorities and veterinary teams have initiated emergency measures to limit further losses and reduce the possibility of disease spread. Reported interventions include:

• Field inspections and collection of diagnostic samples.

• Localised containment and monitoring of affected areas.

• Safe disposal of dead livestock.

• Disinfection of animal housing and communal grazing areas.

• Distribution of disinfectants.

• Vaccination of healthy livestock as part of the local response.

The authorities have also advised farmers to monitor their herds closely, report unusual illness promptly and avoid unrestricted grazing in shared areas while the investigation continues.

VietnamPlus reported that the local veterinary department had supplied 200 litres of disinfectant for disease-control activities.

Why the outbreak requires close surveillance

The rapid increase in deaths is a significant operational concern, particularly because affected animals are spread across rural households and grazing areas.

The investigation must establish whether the cases share a common infectious cause, whether transmission is occurring between herds and whether the affected animals had received appropriate preventive vaccination.

If haemorrhagic septicaemia is confirmed, the findings would have implications for vaccination coverage, movement management, herd-level biosecurity and timely veterinary intervention.

If another cause is identified, the control strategy may need to change substantially.

The incident also highlights the challenges of disease surveillance in mountainous livestock-production systems, where animals may be grazing away from villages and carcasses or sick animals may not be discovered immediately.

What remains unconfirmed

As of the latest reports available on 9 November:

• The causative agent had not been confirmed by laboratory testing.

• The suspected diagnosis of acute haemorrhagic septicaemia remained provisional.

• No confirmed evidence was available establishing the involvement of foot-and-mouth disease, lumpy skin disease, anthrax or feed contamination.

• No specific zoonotic risk had been established.

The reported deaths should therefore be described as unexplained livestock mortality under investigation, rather than a confirmed outbreak of a named disease.

Bottom line: The reported death toll in Huu Kiem rose from 21 animals on 7 November to 48 by midday on 9 November. Acute haemorrhagic septicaemia is suspected, but laboratory confirmation remains essential before assigning a definitive disease diagnosis.