November 1 , 2007

Blue-ear pig disease spreads to Hanoi

The dreaded blue-ear pig disease has reached Hanoi after spreading through southern and central Vietnam, the Vietnamese Department of Animal Health announced Wednesday (October 31, 2007).

Authorities have set up quarantine zones around a private farm in the Gia Lam District upon discovery of the disease, also known as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), in 12 piglets.

Within the one month period from June to July 2007, more than 50,000 pigs tested positive for the disease in Vietnam.

The disease appeared to be receding in recent months until new outbreaks occurred in the northern Hai Duong, central Khanh Hoa and southern Ca Mau provinces.

Blue ear pig disease killed thousands of pigs in China and was one of the chief reasons the price of the meat soared in China.