All nine samples taken from sick pigs in Duyen Hai ward tested positive for the deadly virus.

According to preliminary statistics, 122 out of the total of 181 pigs in 12 households in Duyen Hai were infected by blue-ear disease.

Dao Duy Kien, head of the Lao Cai provincial Department of Animal Health, said the epidemic first hit the locality in 2008, and it was still not properly under control due to ineffective hygiene and safety measures. The Department is currently working hard to prevent the spread of the disease to surrounding areas, he added.

Provincial authorities have called on relevant agencies and local authorities to detect any new cases of blue-ear disease and apply stricter measures to sterilise affected areas and control the slaughtering, transport and trading of pigs.