An outbreak of blue-ear pig disease outbreak has been confirmed
in north China's Shanxi Province, but the local government said it
has been contained.
The outbreak in a pig farm in Liulin county, Liuliang city,
affected 262 pigs, killing 182, according to the Shanxi animal
disease control and prevention headquarters.
The infected pigs were culled and the farm was disinfected,
according to the headquarters.
The highly pathogenic disease, also known as Porcine
Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome, is characterized by
reproductive failure in sows and respiratory problems of piglets
and growing pigs. It occurs in most major pig-producing areas
throughout the world.
The disease has infected 165,144 pigs in 25 Chinese provinces,
of which 45,546 died and 42,728 were culled by July 22, according
to the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA).
The disease is regarded as a key factor leading to the sharp
rise of pork prices in many major Chinese cities this year.
According to the MOA, about 80 million vaccines has been
administered to curb the spread of the pig disease by July 25. The
ministry has allocated 10.8 million yuan (US$1.43 million) to
finance vaccinations in affected areas.
(Xinhua News Agency July 31, 2007)