April 1, 2008

Blue ear disease hits Vietnam anew

After a four-month hiatus, blue ear disease or Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) struck again in the northern province of Ha Tinh, infecting more than 2,000 pigs in local farms.

Local animal health centers are urged to immediately quarantine and sterilize infected areas as well as cull affected pigs, and restrict transport of pork products from outbreak areas.
 
PRRS in pigs is caused by the Lelstad virus, which causes ears to turn blue, appetite loss, high fever, miscarriage, premature delivery, coughing, respiratory problems, and death in extreme cases.