The
blue-ear disease is making a comeback, adding more burden to farmers who have
still been struggling with foot-and-mouth and bird flu diseases.

Veterinary workers in Hai Lang District in the central province of Quang Tri disinfect farms. (Photo: VNS)

As of yesterday, April 19,
blue-ear disease was recorded in two central provinces, Nghe An and Quang Tri,
causing the death of 3,000 pigs.

“The recurrence of
blue- ear disease is a concern because every year the disease is most active
during this time,” said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
Diep Kinh Tan.

He elaborated that
during the same period last year, the outbreak in more than 30 localities caused
thousands of pig deaths.

“If this happens
again, the husbandry sector will have no chance to recover,” Tan said.

He said it was very
likely that weather changes would cause the rapid spread of the diseases.

Deputy director of the
ministry’s Veterinary Department Dam Xuan Thanh said in just a short period of
time, bird flu broke out in six provinces across the country and the virus
appeared to be developing resistance to the existing vaccine.

Le Minh Sat, from of
the Ministry of Science and Technology, said despite the regular vaccinations
conducted in Viet Nam over the years, there had still been disease outbreaks,
while neighbouring Thailand had been able to control diseases without any
vaccinations.

According Tan,
whenever outbreaks occur, a sample of the virus must be delivered to relevant
agencies, the infected herds destroyed immediately and the contaminated area
sterilised.

One important measure
is to consumers not to eat meat of unknown origin.

VietNamNet/Viet
Nam News