VietNamNet Bridge – Experts of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have announced that their study of Porcine Reproductive & Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), or green-ear disease, in pigs in the central province of Quang Nam, Vietnam shows that the green-ear virus there now is stronger than the one from the previous epidemic in the northern province of Hai Duong in March.

Speaking to VietNamNet, Jeffrey Gilbert, senior technical advisor of FAO, said that when they carried out the study in Quang Nam province FAO’s experts discovered a difference between this type of virus and those of Europe and the Americas.

“It seems that this type of virus is much stronger than those of Europe and the Americas. It is nearly like the green-ear virus in China. However, we need to do further research to know whether this type is similar to ones in China or in other countries,” said Mr. Gilbert.

Vice Head of the Veterinary Agency Hoang Van Nam said that the agency was about to send a sample of the virus that is causing green-ear disease in pigs in Quang Nam to an international laboratory for testing.

So far, green-ear epidemic has been reported in more than 40 communes, wards and towns of six districts in Quang Nam province with a total of 18,000 ill pigs. More than 800 pigs have died or been culled.

Last weekend, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development went to Quang Nam to instruct local agencies in how to control the disease. The Head of the Veterinary Agency, Bui Quang Anh, is now in the central region to directly guide related bodies to combat foot-and-mouth, green-ear, cholera in pigs.

Ha Yen