The virus of blue ear pig disease changes quickly

Quoc Dung

The virus that causes blue ear pig disease in Vietnam and China is a dangerous, fast-changing type, can only be controlled by an integrated veterinary strategy.

Dr. Andrew Speedy, Chief Representative of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Vietnam said in an interview with Tien Phong newspaper .

- According to FAO's press release on August 21, 2007, blue-ear pigs are not new diseases. For the first time, in the mid-1980s, the disease was discovered in the United States. But there is an opinion that a more dangerous new strain of virus is raging in Vietnam, China, and translation is difficult to control.

It is true that another strain of blue ear pig disease known as swine respiratory and reproductive syndrome (PRRS) causes cases in pigs in China last year and in Vietnam today. This virus is easily mutated. Because it is different from the original strain in the US, it will be difficult to control the disease with a vaccine if it does not identify the new strain. However, the newly introduced strain does not mean that it is highly virulent.

Dr. Andrew Speedy (Photo: TP)

I also think that the disease is developing into a pandemic.

However, the FAO mission after a visit to the first week of August in Quang Nam province found that many deaths in pigs were caused by infection, not directly by PRRS. Therefore, to reduce mortality in pigs, antibiotic treatment can be used.

To help Vietnam deal with the situation, FAO is urgently building a project worth $ 500,000.

- Rumor has it that some people in the epidemic area fell ill due to infection with PRRS virus?

This virus does not spread to humans but from pigs through pigs. In the pig body, it attacks macrophages that are capable of eliminating invading bacteria. Mature pigs can recover and enhance immunity. However, viruses and superinfection can kill sows and piglets. Their ears often turn green when infected.

The situation of testing of samples taken from Vietnam is nowhere. Among the countries with epidemics, which country has sent the first specimen to FAO so far, sir?

Specimens from Vietnam are being tested in an American laboratory. I don't know exactly when the results will come but maybe next week. I was really impressed by the immediate reaction of the Vietnamese Government. Vietnam is willing to share specimens and cooperate with international organizations.

Vietnam does not wait for international requests. Last month, the Government asked FAO for help after the epidemic increased in June and July. Vietnamese specimens are being tested by gene sequencing to determine the virus strain and from there to find the right vaccine.

So will the vaccine be the main preventive measure in Vietnam?

Not. It is the integrated epidemic management method that controls the epidemic including PRRS. Variation of PRRSV viruses differs from other viruses. If you only use the vaccine to deal with PRRS, it will not result.

As I said above, PRRS is usually not directly fatal in pigs.

PRRS only reduces the immune system and leads to superinfection, making pigs infected by bacteria that are commonly Streptococcus suis, Haemophilus parasuis, and Salmonella. Also because of a weakened immune system, pigs can get diseases caused by other viruses.

In response to the situation, FAO recommended implementing integrated disease management measures in small pig farms. Piglets can be treated with multiple infections by approved antibiotic injections and will significantly reduce the number of deaths.

What is the message for Vietnamese consumers while his disease has not regressed?

I emphasize that the blue ear pig virus does not infect humans and that there is no reason to stop eating pork. The problem is to eat cooked food in any case.

Thank you!