August 6, 2007

Blue ear disease pulls down pork prices, sales in south Vietnam

The outbreak of blue ear disease has dropped prices and sales of pork in south Vietnam, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City. 

However, the Department of Animal Health said consumers in south-east region should not worry about the threat of pig disease because more than 3.5 million pigs nationwide are still free from infection.

The department's deputy director, Pham Xuan Binh, assured that special measures to prevent blue ear disease had been applied at every farm. All farms had been strictly cleaned and the health of pigs had improved as a result.

There are many methods for preventing the disease spread further and Director of Hai Phong Foot Technology, Nguyen Thi Dung, had been flown to Bien Hoa City to advise workers about guidelines for disease prevention.

Dung said controlling the transportation of pigs from affected areas is the key to avert the disease's spread.

Veterinary Department director Huynh Huu Loi said animals and meat, aside from pork and hogs, in the southeast regions will be quarantined.