CHINA: Pig disease spreads to most provinces
Updated
A highly infectious pig virus is sweeping China's pig population, driving up pork price and worrying veterinary experts. So-called blue-ear pig disease has spread to at least 25 of the country's 33 provinces, and has also been found in Vietnam. Animal experts say the virus is highly infectious, and they're concerned at its unusually high fatality rate. But there's no suggestion that the disease might infect people.
Presenter: Xiaoning Mo
Speakers: Peter Cordingley, WHO Southeast Asia regional director; Derek Armstrong, senior veterinary scientist at the Meat and Livestock Commission in Britain; Guo Fusheng, official from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation FAO Beijing Office
Blue-ear pig disease is not a new disease. The first case was recorded in the United States in late 1980s. Since then it has been found in pig herds all over the world. China reported its first case of blue-ear in 1995. But it was not regarded as a normally lethal disease in pigs till last year. The virus now being seen in China has a fatality rate of up to 95 percent while normally the number should be between 10 to 20 percent. Derek Armstrong, a senior veterinary scientist at the Meat and Livestock Commission in Britain, says it might mean this is a new and more virulent strain.
TALENT:Derek Armstrong, senior veterinary scientist at the Meat and Livestock Commission in Britain
Diseased pigs suffer symptoms of blue ears, spontaneous abortion, infertility and high fever. The Chinese government's official figures show up to 165, 000 pigs have been infected this year. Some countries are worried China is not providing enough information about the virus. There are also reports that suspicious pig infections have been detected in Vietnam and Burma, and health experts are trying to determine if it is Chinese blue-ear. Guo Fusheng, from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, or FAO's office in Beijing says the government has told international organisations about the disease, but admits Beijing hasn't shared any tissue samples so far.
TALENT:Guo Fusheng, official from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization FAO Beijing Office
Derek Armstrong, from the British Meat and Livestock Commission says a global pandemic among domesticated pigs could happen if no effective measures will be taken.
TALENT:Derek Armstrong, senior veterinary scientist at the Meat and Livestock Commission in Britain
According to the FAO's Guo Fusheng in Beijing, the Chinese government is taking measures to curb the disease, including setting up check points at provincial and national borders. He says it's also working on a vaccine to protect against the disease. However, there's no suggestion blue-ear virus poses any threat to human health. Peter Cordingley is the World Health Organisation's Southeast Asia regional director:
TALENT: Peter Cordingley, WHO Southeast Asia regional director
B/A: WHO Southeast Asia regional director Peter Cordingley ending that report by Xiaoning Mo.
