December 2, 2010

Vietnam experiences blue-ear pig disease in 12 provinces

Blue-ear pig disease has spread to 12 provinces across Vietnam as of November 30, according to the Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The 12 afflicted provinces include Dak Lak, Son La, Quang Ngai, Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai, Phu Yen, Bac Ninh, Yen Bai, Nghe An, Quang Ninh, Lang Son, and Bac Kan. 

Nguyen Nhan Lung, Head of the Bac Ninh Branch of Animal Health, said that the blue-ear pig disease was essentially under control. "The province has also disinfected the environment and vaccinated cattle to prevent the disease from spreading" he said. 

In Quang Ninh, checkpoints were established to stop the illegal transportation of pigs and cattle were vaccinated around the infection zone. However, 2010's blue-ear pig disease vaccination rate was lower than last year because of the large number of pigs transported through the province.