June 26, 2012

Blue-ear pig disease affects more Vietnamese localities 

Spreading to another two regions in Vietnam, namely Ha Noi in the north and Binh Duong Province in the south, the blue-ear pig disease develops further complications, says the Animal Health Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

So far, eight provinces and cities have not passed the 21-day deadline required to declare themselves free of the disease. They are Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Dong Nai, Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Dien Bien, Binh Duong and Ha Noi.

The disease was detected in Ba Vi district, Hanoi, on May 18, the Animal Health Department reports.

The local veterinary department worked with authorities to stamp out the disease but over 200 pigs in five different communes in Ba Vi are still infected with the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus that causes the illness.

In Binh Duong, the disease has affected more than 400 pigs in four communes in the Tan Uyen district. Currently, 48 pigs have been culled and destroyed.

The Binh Duong veterinary department is taking active measures to vaccinate the local pigs against the disease and prevent it from spreading further.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Diep Kinh Tan visited Lang Son in order to steer efforts to curb the epidemic.