June 18, 2007

China's blue ear disease outbreak slows down in June

China's blue ear disease epidemic eased in June compared with the same period of last year, the official Xinhua News Agency reported over the weekend, citing the Ministry of Agriculture.

The disease, also called porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, has killed more than 18,000 pigs in 22 Chinese provinces and regions in the first five months of this year, the country's chief veterinarian said earlier this month.

Blue ear disease, which doesn't affect people but can be fatal for pigs, was among the reasons of the recent surge in China's pork prices.

Since June, only scattered outbreaks have been reported, but the situation is still dire due to factors such as insufficient vaccines and a weak epidemic prevention system, Xinhua said, citing an unnamed official from the media department of the ministry.

Blue ear disease outbreaks usually peak during the warm summer months.