At least 343 pigs have been found carrying the lelystad virus, the agent causing the porcine epidemic known as blue ear disease, over the past five days, the central province of Quang Nam has reported.

The department added that the epidemic has spread to Dai Loc and Duy Xuyen districts, threatening some 600,000 pigs in the province.

Authorized agencies have culled 178 of the 343 sick pigs reared by 150 households.

This is the first time the blue ear disease has broken out again after it was successfully curbed nationwide about three months ago.

Reported by Hua Xuyen Huynh