42 people have contracted pig strep

According to the Preventive Medicine Department, since the beginning of the year, in 42 patients suffering from type 2 Streptococcus suis swine streptococcus, 2 have died in meningitis and septicemia.

In Thua Thien Hue there are 2 cases of suspected streptococcus, in which 1 person died. Samples of these two patients are being tested to find the cause.

The Department of Animal Health has conducted a preliminary investigation of some infected streptococcus in some northern provinces, the results showed that they had contact with infected pigs such as sick pig husbandry, slaughtering, handling and disposal. sick pigs, eating sick pigs. In particular, many cases are caused by eating pig soup.

A pig can infect the whole herd.
(Photo: Hoang Ha)

When swine streptococcus bacteria attack humans will cause encephalitis, hemorrhage, pneumonia, myocarditis and arthritis. The death rate can reach 7%. People who get sick are also infected by the toxin of bacteria causing shock.

Transmission of disease from pigs to humans is caused by skin wounds, respiratory tract contact with blood or pig secretions. People who are susceptible to diseases include: people working in pig farms, cattle slaughterers, veterinarians, people who eat pig blood or eat sick pigs. The firing time is short, only from a few hours to 3 days.

In China, swine outbreaks due to type 2 pig streptococci occurred in Sichuan province from the end of June 2005 to early August 2005, which infected 214 people with swine strep and 44 deaths. Including 2 patients in Guangdong Province, the other patients are in Sichuan Province.

People who have skin lesions should not slaughter pigs

Pneumococcal disease in pigs is caused by a species of bacteria called Strepcoccus suis. The majority of pathogenic bacteria in pigs are in type 1 and type 2. Type 1 causes disease in pigs less than 8 weeks old, type 2 disease in pigs with characteristic of causing meningitis, endocarditis, inflammation lungs, hemorrhage, gastrointestinal disease, arthritis, bleeding in the skin, miscarriage and sudden death in pigs.

According to the Department of Animal Health, Strepcoccus suis bacteria exist in feces, dirt, pig carcasses and even flies for a long time. The disease can be transmitted through inhalation, excretions, blood of sick pigs, spread through direct contact or through infected needles. Piglets are infected from mother pigs through respiratory, gastrointestinal and blood.

Department of Animal Health recommends that consumers do not buy, sell and eat sick pigs, of unknown origin; Do not eat raw pork, do not eat the soup, un-cooked pig organs and especially do not eat sick, dead pork. Consumers should only buy pork that has been controlled by the veterinary agency and stamped on the carcass.

Slaughtering and destroying infected pigs must take measures to prevent the spread of disease to humans such as: if they suffer from hand, foot and skin diseases . they must not slaughter pigs; must have minimum protective equipment when slaughtering pigs such as gloves and masks; After slaughtering, wash your feet and hands with soapy water.

Hong Khanh