August 5, 2010

Blue-ear pig disease threatens further Ho Chi Minh

Blue-ear pig disease is further threatening Ho Chi Minh City as it spreads widely throughout its neighbouring provinces of Dong Nai, Long An, Tien Giang and Binh Duong.

Currently, the amount of pigs in Ho Chi Minh City only meets 12-15% of the consumers' pork demand. Therefore, the city has to buy pigs from other localities, mostly Dong Nai, Long An and Binh Duong. Everyday, about 8,000-9,000 pigs are transported to Ho Chi Minh City, putting the city at risk of being seriously infected by the deadly disease.

The city has established checkpoints in Hoc Mon Cu Chi and Binh Chanh districts to control the transport, slaughter and trading of pigs in infected areas. Phan Xuan Thao, Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Department for Animal Health, says that his department is intensifying strict measures to prevent the disease spreading.

Mr Thao says that the illegal transport of sick pigs from other provinces to Ho Chi Minh City has risen sharply. The municipal Animal Health Department has already uncovered more than two tonnes of pork without a clear origin being transported to Ho Chi Minh City.

To deal with the spread of the epidemic, the Department has requested all 24 veterinary stations in the city to monitor the transport, trade and slaughter of pigs. However, there is growing concern about the illegal transport of sick pigs from the infected areas to the city and vice versa, and the selling of pork of unclear origin on flea markets in Thu Duc and Binh Thanh districts.