Blue-Ear Disease Spreads Rapidly

VIET NAM - The veterinary sector has worked with provinces to ensure preventive measures have been taken to deal with worsening situation of blue-ear disease, otherwise known as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).

25 August 2010

3 minute read

A VOV reporter interviewed Nguyen Xuan Binh, the Director of the Department of Animal Health in the Southeastern region on this issue.

VOV: Could you tell us the threat of blue-ear disease in the south-eastern region?

Mr Binh: The disease has now spread to eight out of the 11 South-east provinces. Three provinces have not reported the disease, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Ho Chi Minh City.

The number of infected pigs that have been destroyed is now 49,978.

I think that the disease continues spreading and will likely last until the end of August. It has already occurred in Binh Phuoc, Binh Duong, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Tay Ninh, Long An and Ben Tre.

VOV: What measures has the veterinary sector come up with to prevent the disease spreading?

Mr Binh: We are closely monitoring the disease to prevent it spreading rapidly. However, preventing it is the duty of the local. They must report the disease to the veterinary sector and authorities as soon as possible. If they cannot cure infected pigs, they must cull them all according to the regulations.

In addition, the local authorities must prevent people from slaughtering infected pigs themselves.

VOV: What do you advise the authorities and local people to do to prevent the disease?

Mr Binh: When there are outbreaks of the disease in provinces, they must be reported to local authorities so that they can take timely action to ban the selling of infected pigs and control the transport and trade of pig products.

Pigs must be brought to slaughterhouses to meet the local people’s demand for food hygiene. And farmers must be patient to deal with such as difficult situation.

VOV: Thank you very much.