April 7, 2008

Vietnam to step up blue ear prevention

The Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development urged localities to curb the spread of the blue ear pig disease through road check points and sterilization of all areas hit by the pig disease.

To date, there are three provinces in Vietnam hit by blue ear.

Minister Cao Duc Phat told the affected provinces on Tuesday to strengthen epidemic control measures, cull all afflicted pigs and prohibit transportation of pork products in and out of their vicinities.

The localities were ordered to place epidemic check points at road intersections and sterilize all areas affected.

Phat added that other provinces must also bolster inspection of pigs and pork products being transported to local farms and markets.

The ministry explained that the blue ear disease, or Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), could spread quickly if breeders panic and start wholesaling ill animals.

The disease has also been suspected in a district of Quang Nam, and hit 3,000 pigs in four districts of Thanh Hoa, local newspapers reported.

Blue ear has hit pigs in the two central provinces of Ha Tinh and Quang Nam, the local media said.