November 25, 2010

Thailand declares epidemic zone as 1,000 pigs die

A mystery disease in Thailand has killed 1,000 pigs in Phitsanulok's Wang Thong, Bang Rakham, Bang Krathum, and Muang districts which have been declared livestock epidemic zones.

Provincial Health Office chief Dr. Boonterm Tansurat said on Wednesday (Nov 24) that the pigs possibly died from a virus and urged people to either not cook meals from them or to cook pork at over 35 degrees Celsius to kill the infection.

Urging the public not to panic, he said pig farmers should keep farms clean and separate sick pigs from others for treatment.

A village headman in Tambon Ban Krang, where 400 pigs out of 931 pigs died in one day, Ket Fakthong, said he urged affected pig farmers to report to the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives to postpone debt payments.