July 31, 2007

PRRS hits southern Vietnam

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), commonly known as blue-ear disease, has struck dozens of pigs in Vietnam's southern Long An province, according to local newspaper Labor on Monday (July 30).

Sixty pigs from the province's Can Giuoc district have tested positive for PRRS. Local residents said the infected pigs in the central region are being transported to southern provinces of Long An, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau.

Swine are hence infected with PRRS in the central areas of Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Da Nang and Hue, are being infected with PRRS.

Local veterinary agencies are intensifying the culling of infected pigs to prevent the disease from spreading, and establishing checkpoints on main roads to thoroughly inspect animals during transport. The state offers VND 10,000 (US$0.61) for each kilogramme of infected pigs culled.

PRRS is characterized by reproductive failure of sows and respiratory problems of piglets and growing pigs. It occurs in most major pig-producing areas throughout the world.

The World Organisation for Animal Health characterises reproductive failure as with infertility, late foetal mummification, abortions, stillbirths, and the birth of weak piglets that often die soon after birth from respiratory disease and secondary infections.