May 6, 2009

Pig raisers in Vietnam's Mekong Delta region, are being hurt by news on swine flu though World Health Organisation (WHO) renamed it into influenza A(H1N1), according to local media reports on Tuesday (May 5).

A trader based in Can Tho province said many pig-raising families are strongly hurt and demand of pork dropped sharply in the Mekong Delta region.

A trader said abattoirs based in Hau Giang province cut production by 60 percent recently.

Traders also said prices of pork dropped VND3,000-VND5,000 per kilogramme.

Local authorities said husbandry sector of the Soc Trang province, ranking the first in pig-raising in the region is being hurt.

Vietnam health authorities had online meeting with provinces and cities to take prompt measures to closely monitor and control if outbreak occurs.

According to state media reports, US will help Vietnam cope with the influenza A(H1N1) disease.

US$1 = VND17,783 (May 6)