April 16, 2007

Pig disease hits four provinces in Vietnam

The Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has confirmed last week an outbreak of an acute respiratory infection in domestic pigs in four provinces in the north, reports the Vietnam News Agency.

By far, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) has affected more than 11,000 pigs in Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Bac Ninh and Thai Binh Provinces, many of them already dead, according to an Animal Health Department Report.

But what's alarming is that an estimated 3,000 infected pigs were already sold in local markets before farmers were aware of the outbreak.

PRRS, which originated on farms in Hai Duong, shares symptoms with human influenza but also causes birth defects in piglets.

High-level officials have asked People's Committees in cities and provinces across the country to get the outbreak under control before it spreads throughout the country.

MARD officials said they hope to contain the outbreak by burning or burying the bodies of dead animals, while treating afflicted pigs as best they can. Breeding farms will also have to be decontaminated, along with surrounding areas.

In addition, officials are urging farmers to quarantine their animals and stop selling pork or pigs until the outbreak wanes down.

A vaccine is being made available through various agencies for breeders.

MARD is enlisting the help of the Public Security, Transport Ministry and Trade Ministries, including the General Customs Department, to implement local epidemic disease prevention and protection plans.