May 22, 2012

Vietnamese localities confirm blue-ear pig disease outbreaks

Eight provinces and cities in Vietnam have confirmed outbreaks of blue-ear pig disease as of May 19, according to the Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

The affected localities include Dien Bien, Yen Bai, Nam Dinh, Phu Tho, Lao Cai, Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh and Lai Chau. Severe outbreaks were found in the north-western region, which then spread to the northern mountainous provinces.

In Dien Bien Province, 11,000 diseased pigs weighing a total of around 355 tonnes were culled. All infected areas were sterilised and 40,000 doses of vaccine were allocated to help local communes prevent the spread of the disease.

More than 500 sick pigs were also destroyed in Thanh Thuy and Thanh Son districts of Phu Tho Province. Local veterinary officers are currently intensifying vaccinations in all infected communes.

Experts warn that outbreaks of the deadly disease are likely to occur more widely, especially during the hot summer months. One of the biggest obstacles to combating blue-ear pig disease is the shortage of vaccines, they said.