Northern Vietnam: PRRS swine disease outbreak

[Shiloh]

Re: Northern Vietnam: PRRS swine disease outbreak

Source: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/social/2008/04/780061/

New type of blue ear virus reported
16:42' 24/04/2008 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge ? The virus that is causing the blue ear epidemic in Vietnam is highly toxic and extremely dangerous. It is similar to the virus in China, reported the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

A Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) or blue ear epidemic is developing complicatedly and it may spread widely in the coming days.

By April 21, the disease was reported in 657 communes of ten provinces, attacking 222,000 pigs, including over 221,300 culled, said Head of the Veterinary Agency Bui Quang Anh. The ten stricken provinces are Ha Tinh, Quang Nam, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Lam Dong, Thua Thien-Hue, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh.

The development of the disease in Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh may be less critical in the coming days, but the situation may be worse in Thua Thien-Hue and Lam Dong provinces, experts said.

In Thai Binh province, by April 21, blue ear disease had occurred in seven communes in Vu Thu and Dong Hung districts. In Thai Nguyen province, five communes and towns were reported to have caught the disease between April 17 and April 20.

Notably, the disease has spread to the country?s key areas for animal husbandry like Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh and Thai Binh, while the transport of pigs to Quang Ninh to export to China across the border is a threat to dispense blue ear everywhere.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has sent an urgent message on the control of the transportation of pigs and conditions for small-volume exports of pigs and pork products during the period of blue ear disease.

As of April 24, pigs and unprocessed pork products shall not be transported via disease-hit localities such as Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh until the localities are recognised as being free of the disease.

If pigs and pork products have to be transported via the localities, the transportation of the pigs and pork products shall have to be allowed by the People's Committees of the provinces and have to occur on specific roads designated by the provincial steering boards on the control and prevention of blue ear disease of the localities.

(Source: TP, TTXVN, ND)

 

[kent nickell]

Re: Northern Vietnam: PRRS swine disease outbreak

This article emphasizes the relationship of PRRS with swine influenza. Note that it is common for swine with PRDC (Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex) to be positive for PRRS virus. Swine influenza is mentioned prominently as an important co-infection that may also need to be vaccinated against in this complex.

It also mentions that PRDC commonly occurs in pigs 14-20 weeks of age and has a 4-6 % mortality rate largely depending on the particular secondary infections.

It would seem prudent in the work-up of swine with PRRS (esp if it seems to be an atypical or severe outbreak) to test for any novel swine influenza viruses that may be circulating in the area...

http://www.livestocktrail.uiuc.edu/porknet/paperDisplay.cfm?ContentID=680

Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex
Lawrence D. Firkins, D.V.M., M.S.
01/01/1998

Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex (PRDC) is the result of a combination of multiple infectious agents,environmental stressors and production system challenges. Successful intervention requires accurate diagnosis, properly time vaccinations, strategic use of medication, eliminating environmental stressors, and in some cases, changes in production methods.

The common respiratory agents in PRDC are PRRS virus,swine influenza virus, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae,Salmonella cholerasuis, and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. Less frequent pathogens include Pasteurella multocida and Porcine Respiratory Coronavirus. It has been suggested that PRDC is theresult of subpopulations of infected carrier pigs and disease-naive pigs undergoing an environmental stress or leading to disease. While the prevalence of PRDC is unknown, it appears to be increasing, especially inmulti-site operations. When PRDC hits a unit, typically 30-70 percent of the pigs will be effected. Mortality will be 4-6 percent or greater depending on the secondary bacterial infections.

PRDC most commonly occurs in pigs 14-20 weeks of age. Affected pigs cough, run fevers, and stop eating. These pigs have a decreased growth rate with pigs growing apart from each other within a pen. Several producers report losing pigs to gastric ulcers during a PRDC outbreak.

Subpopulations of infected and disease-naive pigs are often the result of commingling pigs from different sowherds. This allows pigs of variable immunity and disease carrier status to be mixed within a group.Delaying the targeted weaning age and cross-fostering after Day 1 can also contribute to this mixedpopulation. Despite segregated early weaning, viral diseases can pass from the sow to the pigs.Environmental stressors also contribute. The most common mistake made to set up this situation is not following strict all-out protocol on a room or buildings.

When carrier pigs and naive pigs are in the same room orbuilding, PRDC can result when some stressor initiates disease in a few of the carrier animals. Stressors can include crowding, moving and mixing pigs, temperature changes, and poor air quality during this time ofshifting immune status in the pigs. A few pneumonic pigs can rapidly spread the disease. It is common for the majority of pigs in the group to be PRRS positive. Viral agents such as PRRS or swine influenza can initiate mycoplasmal pneumonia in subclinically infected pigs.

Diagnosis of PRDC requires submission of the proper samples. The key is selecting the proper specimens and collecting them at the proper time. Sending in multiplesamples will increase the likelihood of obtaining a truepicture of what is occurring. Consideration should begiven to submitting live pigs to the diagnosticlaboratory. If this is not possible, fresh samples,fixed samples, nasal swabs, and paired serology can allbe beneficial when attempting to obtain a diagnosis ofthe pathogens involved in causing PRDC.

There are multiple costs associated with PRDC. Th eobvious costs are the increased death loss. Often the most economically significant loss is the decrease in average daily gain and the poor feed efficiency. PRDC also results in challenges to pig flow. Sort loss isincreased due to pigs growing apart. In order to maintain all-in/all-out management of buildings,light-weight pigs must be moved to another facility.

There are methods for minimizing the effects of PRDC once an accurate diagnosis is obtained. It is vital to stabilize the sow herd for the pathogens that are identified in any given situation. This will decrease the chance of the two subpopulations of carrier andnaive pigs developing. Stabilization of the sow herd ismost commonly accomplished through proper immunizationby natural and vaccination methods. Once stabilizationis accomplished, an adequate isolation and acclimation program for replacement animals must be developed. In addition to using vaccines in the sow herd, their use may be necessary in growing pigs to provide uniformimmunity when they reach the 14-18 week age. Strategicuse of antibiotics has proven beneficial in decreasing the effects of PRDC when mycoplasma or a secondary bacteria is involved. Perhaps the most important step that can be taken is strict adherence to pig flow andmanagement rules. Failure to strictly follow such methods as all-in/all-out dramatically increases theodds of a PRDC break.

A control program specifically designed to control PRRS is necessary in the majority of cases. Prior to implementation of control measures, an accurate picture of the pattern of viral transmission within the various stages of production must be obtained. In most cases,PRRS control starts with stabilizing the sow herd. This can be accomplished through use of a modified live vaccine in open sows and replacement gilts. Autogenous killed PRRS vaccines given prefarrowing to sows have been effective in some situations. Based on the pattern of viral transmission and the pig flow management,properly timed vaccination of growings pig may prove necessary. Constant evaluation and manipulation of the immune status of replacement animals will be required.

A swine influenza control program will be needed on many farms with a history of PRDC. Good results have been obtained through immunization of the sow herd. When stabilizing a breeding herd, initially two doses must be given three weeks apart. Booster vaccinations should be given two weeks prefarrowing. Replacement gilts should receive two doses prior to entering the breeding herd.Passive immunity will generally be protective through the nursery stage. Vaccination of pigs in the grower stage will be necessary in some cases to prevent clinical disease.

Stabilization of the breeding herd for mycoplasma is very similar to the protocol recommended for swine influenza. Initially, the sow herd should receive two doses three weeks apart. Sows should also receive a mycoplasma vaccine booster two weeks prior to farrowing. Piglet vaccination requires properly timed doses whichwill vary from herd to herd.

Pulse medication programs can be an effective method to deal with mycoplasma and secondary bacterial infections.Specific antibiotics are used at specific times prior tohistorical disease outbreaks. One program that has been successful involves using antibiotics for three days,then off for four days. This cycle is followed as neededto get through the condition.

Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex remains a challenge to producers. It is now clear that PRRS is generally involved. Influenza can play a role with PRRS or independent of any other viruses.[/B] Mycoplasma is recognized as a major contributor to PRDC. In order to effectively deal with PRDC, the contributing pathogens must first be identified. Modern technologies, along with vaccines and medication, can minimize the effects of this disease. Pig flow management should always be evaluated to assure production rules have not been broken which have resulted in PRDC.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Northern Vietnam: PRRS swine disease outbreak

Source: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/social/2008/04/780854/

Vietnam initially controls pig disease
14:43' 30/04/2008 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge ? Vietnam has initially put the blue ear disease on pigs under control, announced the Veterinary Department?s Vice Head Hoang Van Nam on April 29.

The Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) (known as blue ear disease) have so far found in 10 provinces, including northern Thai Nguyen, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh provinces, central Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Nam and Thua Thien-Hue provinces, and Central Highlands Lam Dong province.

To fight the epidemic more effectively, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has asked the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Chinese Veterinary Administration to send experts to Vietnam in May.

The ministry has also signed with the Chinese side a contract to import 1 million doses of anti PRRS vaccine.

In addition, localities have been urged to tighten control over transportation of pigs and their products, as well as butchery.

Last week, northern mountainous Son La province discovered a new outbreak of bird flu, joining southern Can Tho Province in the list of the disease-stricken localities.

(Source: VNA)

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Northern Vietnam: PRRS swine disease outbreak

Source: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/social/2008/05/781351/

Blue-ear pig disease under control
22:48' 04/05/2008 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge - Blue-ear pig disease has been kept under control with only two fresh outbreaks detected on May 2. However, the Veterinary Department has warned that the epidemic could spread further as the warm weather creates ideal conditions for the virus to thrive.

Fresh outbreaks were detected on May 2 in two communes in northern Nam Dinh and central Nghe An provinces. Elsewhere around the country, 1,143 more pigs were infected with the virus and 1,234 infected pigs were culled.

Currently, 10 provinces namely Ha Tinh, Quang Nam, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Lam Dong, Thua Thien-Hue, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh have not passed the 21-day threshold to declare themselves free from the disease.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has asked the world organisation for animal health (OIE) and China?s general department of animal health to send their experts to Vietnam in May to help the country stamp out the epidemic effectively. The ministry has also signed a contract with China to import 1 million doses of blue-ear vaccine.

The ministry has also asked all localities to keep a close watch on the transportation, slaughtering and trading of pig products.

MARD will host a blue-ear pig disease conference in HCM City on May 8.

(Source: VOV)

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Northern Vietnam: PRRS swine disease outbreak

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ds vAlign=top width=435 height=0>Last Updated: <!--2008-05-09 11:47:33 todaysDate = Date(08, 05, 09, 11, 47, 33); --><SCRIPT language=JavaScript> dayarray = new Array("Sunday", "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday","Saturday"); montharray = new Array("January", "February", "March", "April","May", "June", "July", "August", "September", "October", "November", "December"); todaysDate = new Date("May 09, 2008 11:47:33"); document.write(dayarray[todaysDate.getDay()] + ", " + montharray[todaysDate.getMonth()] + " " + todaysDate.getDate() + ", "); //if (todaysDate.getYear() < 1000){ //document.write(todaysDate.getYear() + 2000); //} else { document.write(todaysDate.getFullYear()); //} document.write(" 11:47:33 Vietnam (GMT+07)"); </SCRIPT>Friday, May 9, 2008 11:47:33 Vietnam (GMT+07) </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top><!--This begin of the news --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%" colSpan=2><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="50%" height=30> E-mail to a friend </TD><TD width="50%">Print version</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left height=35>South Vietnam on alert for pig disease
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</TD><TD align=left width=5></TD></TR><TR><TD class=cap align=left colSpan=2>Infected pigs being destroyed. Some fear blue ear disease will spread to southern provinces</TD><TD align=left width=5></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Blue ear pig disease, which has broken out in 10 northern and central provinces, could spread to Vietnam?s southeastern regions, a meeting in Ho Chi Minh City heard Thursday. </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>
Regional Animal Health Agency Deputy Head Nguyen Xuan Binh told the meeting of agriculture ministry and animal health agency representatives infected pigs could have already been trucked to HCMC and Binh Phuoc and Dong Nai provinces.
Dong Nai Province?s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Nguyen Van Giau said the province would not have detected infected pigs, some of which could have been hidden in coaches.
Giau said thousands of industrial park workers, lured by bargain basement prices, could have unknowingly purchased infected pork.
HCMC Animal Health Department Deputy Head Phan Xuan Thao said after blue ear disease broke out early last month in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, the number of pigs ferried from the province to HCMC increased between four and five times.
Nguyen Xuan Binh said local animal health agencies in the Central Highlands province failed to announce the outbreak in a timely manner, allowing the disease to spread.
Animal Health Department Head Bui Quang Anh said the epidemic in Lam Dong had not yet been controlled.
He recommended the transportation of pigs from the province to other areas be halted.
Blue ear disease, also known as Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), is highly fatal in pigs and has killed or led to the culling of more than 254,000 pigs since the first outbreak of the year was reported in late March.
The 10 affected provinces are Ha Tinh, Quang Nam, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Lam Dong, Thua Thien-Hue, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh.:tiphat:
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http://www.thanhniennews.com/healthy/?catid=8&newsid=38380

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Northern Vietnam: PRRS swine disease outbreak

Southern Vietnam loses control of pig disease

Blue ear epidemic is growing in the south of Vietnam and local authorities can?t control the situation, said Deputy Director of the Southern Veterinary Agency Nguyen Xuan Binh.

The disease has expanded to Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai and Lam Dong provinces. Ill pigs are also being transported to HCM City.

Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dong Nai province, Nguyen Van Giau, said thousands of workers at southern industrial zones have to buy cheap pork (ill pigs) because their income is too low.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Bui Ba Bong pointed out two things that have facilitated the rampancy of blue ear: lack of supervision over the disease and improper solving of the first outbreaks. :tiphat:
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/social/2008/05/782330/​