February 23, 2007

Mysterious deaths in humans and pigs in Papua New Guinea

Three women in the remote Southern Highlands province in Papua New Guinea (PNG) have died after eating contaminated pork.

Another 200 people were treated with antibiotics, after they complained of fever.

The human deaths coincide with the deaths of approximately 1,000 pigs from an outbreak of an as yet unidentified disease.

The pigs showed symptoms of swollen necks, flu-like signs, fever and the antemortem decay of body parts. They died within days.

Some other animal species were reported to have died after developing similar symptoms and authorities fear dead animals have been contaminating the rivers and creeks.

Experts believe anthrax might be the cause of the pig deaths though it still remains unclear whether the human mortalities are coincidental or connected with the pig mortalities.

Undercooked pork from diseased pigs could have spread the disease to humans, experts feel.