March 3, 2009

Blue ear disease has struck several pig farms in three Vietnamese provinces, confirms the Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Monday (March 2).

In northern province Quang Ninh, the disease infected about 50 pigs raised on two local farms, said the department.

In central province Quang Nam, the virus has spread to pig farms in 20 communes of four districts, culling nearly 700 pigs, said the department.

Meanwhile the disease broke out recently in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu, infecting 13 pigs with the blue-ear virus, said the department.

The ministry will speed up measures to prevent diseases in livestock this year.