According to reporting in The Nation Thailand, Sorawit Thaneeto, director-general of the Department of Livestock Development said that the pigs died of PRRS (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome), a viral disease that can be transmitted among pigs, but poses no threats to humans.

“Therefore, I have ordered the department’s offices in the northern provinces to employ preventive measures and monitor the situation closely, especially in Mae Hong Son and Tak.“So far we have found no additional deaths among pigs by PRRS,” he added.

In Mae Hong Son province, authorities are culling 25 pigs as a preventive measure. The Nation reports that the farmer will be compensated at 75 percent of the cost of the pigs if he chooses to let the department carry out the cull. The Department of Livestock Development stressed that the cull is completely voluntary.

Provincial authorities in Mae Hong Son are urging producers to adhere to strict biosecurity measures, including bans on moving farm animals out of affected areas or eating the pork of affected pigs.

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