26 March 2013/14 Jumada l-Ula 1434/06 Farvardin 1391/15 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

While China is dealing with more than 16000 dead pigs in the Pengshan River, to the south, in Vietnam, pigs have been dying of Blue Ear.

Back in February, Vietnamese officials began operations to combat the spread of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV).  Thousands of pigs were infected at that point.  So far thousands have died or been killed.

Officials blamed the virus on the deaths of two butchers, however they died of a swine bacteria, not a virus.

A year ago Vietnam’s Agriculture Ministry declared their country free of Blue Ear disease. But as is the case for famous last words, new cases popped up just a few months later.

Recently officials in Long An and Quang Nam provinces stated they had the disease contained.

However, entire herds have been wiped out in Dien Kim and Dien Thai Communes of Dien Chau District, as well as Quynh Thach, Quynh Van and Quynh Xuan Communes in Quynh Luu District, and five communes in Yen Thanh District.

New outbreaks are being reported in Dien Chau District.