Vietnam on Wednesday said that it will limit its pig exports to China to prevent the spread of 'Blue Ear' disease among the Chinese pigs. Agriculture Minister of Vietnam, Bui Ba Bong, said that from Saturday pigs will not be sold to China from provinces which are reported to be suffering from this disease.

 

Porcine Reproductive & Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is a disease found in pigs which kills the macrophages of the body which are a part of the body's immune system. The virus of the disease in particular attacks the macrophages of the lungs and once they enter the herd they remain active for an indefinite period. Human beings may also suffer from the disease if they eat pork from an infected pig.

 

The limited supply of pigs could very well raise the prices of pork in China. Earlier in 2006, nearly 1 millions pigs suffering from the disease were slaughtered in China. According to the reports of Agriculture Ministry's Animal Health Department of Vietnam, 10 provinces have been hit with this disease.