July 19, 2010

Blue-ear pig disease returns in Lao Cai, Vietnam

The blue-ear pig disease has recurred after the epidemic previously broke out in Duyen Hai ward of Lao Cai city, the provincial People's Committee officially confirmed July 16.

Nine samples taken from sick pigs in Duyen Hai ward were tested for the deadly virus and all showed positive results. Preliminary statistics show that 122 out of the total of 181 pigs in 12 households in Duyen Hai were infected by blue-ear disease.

The head of the province's Department of Animal Health, Dao Duy Kien, said the epidemic first hit the locality in 2008, and it was still not properly under control due to ineffective hygiene and safety measures. "The department is currently working hard to prevent the spread of the disease to surrounding areas," he said.

Provincial authorities have called on relevant agencies and local authorities to detect any new cases of blue-ear disease and apply stricter measures to sterilise affected areas and control the slaughtering, transport and trading of pigs.