The problematic products manufactured and being exported out of China seems to be never ending. China is desperately trying to clean up its act amidst the world’s concerns about its chronic product safety problems. But a new scandal or unsafe product is discovered and recalled on a weekly basis as though it seems. The most recent recall of China products involves un-sanitized chopsticks, Sponge Bob Square Pants notebooks tainted with lead, and pet food treats adulterated with melamine. With the spat of all these recalls dominating the headlines recently one would think China is trying very hard to stay out of the negative spotlight but it can’t.

What now you ask?
   International health experts are now criticizing China for playing down a highly infections swine virus that has devastated China’s pig population, which has disrupted China’s food chain and sent pork prices through the roof. The start and spread of disease outbreaks affecting China’s piggeries started last year in September of 2006.

   The mysterious virus although not yet identified appears to be an unusually deadly form of infection known as blue ear pig disease (scientifically known as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome or PRRS) the disease has spread to 26 of China’s 33 provinces and regions.

   Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome affect pigs in 2 phases: reproductive failure in pregnant sows and respiratory diseases in young sows. Reproductive failure increases the chance for still born piglets, abortion, premature births, weak newborn piglets and mummified piglet fetuses and secondary infections. Sows in milk are more likely to become anemic and are more likely to die before piglets are weaned, according to the World Organization for Animal Health.

   Most pigs infected with PRRS usually get sick but recover with some complications but it is generally not so deadly. Some scientists are extremely concerned that it is a new or more virulent strain or mutation of the disease. China is the fourth-largest exporter of live and slaughtered pigs and could already be exporting the disease to neighboring countries.

   Helpless Chinese farmers watched their entire piggeries and livelihood succumb to the disease in a matter of weeks. Slaughter houses in China which were once bustling are now longing for work. Some farmers panicked and sold their pigs to slaughter houses even though they may have been infected just to cushion looming losses including injecting sick pigs with water to bolster its selling weight. The Chinese government now claims to have the outbreak under control though mass culling and vaccinations.

   The Chinese government tried to contain the damage by offering incentives and free vaccinations to farmers as well as economic aid. The Chinese government is only claiming that 165,000 pigs have contracted the disease this year alone. However, China averages a loss of 25 million pigs a year due to disease. Based on these previous known figures the international community does not believe that China is being forthright about the current swine virus outbreak.

   The international community has never forgotten the SARS epidemic and how China handled that debacle in 2002. You would think that China would have learned from the SARS incident and would look after the rest of the world instead of trying to sweep the problem under the carpet and keep it a secret. But I guess some nations and leaders never seem to learn. Is asking for help or assistance from the International community too embarrassing? One can only surmise what the leaders in China are thinking. Perhaps they are too focused on the upcoming 2008 Olympic Games that are going to be held in their country and the possibility of a pandemic that could ruin China’s shining moment. China really needs to be more responsible in reporting health related issues and disease outbreaks to the internationally community. Especially if the virus outbreak could spread and impact other nations and countries; or worse if the virus mutates and starts killing and spreading through human contact.

   Vietnam recently experienced an outbreak of blue ear pig disease which was normally only found in imported pigs. Veterinary officials in Vietnam has already sent virus samples to labs in the United States for DNA testing to establish if this is the same viral strain that has crippled China’s piggery industry. The Chinese government is also sending in their team of experts to assist Vietnam with their current outbreak of blue ear pig disease along with their vaccine. However, this virus strain in Vietnam is also infecting adult pigs and boars, which has never been reported or seen before. A new strain or mutation might have already developed which should be very alarming to the international community.

   People can breathe easier knowing that the swine virus in China and Vietnam does not currently infect the human population. But the entire world should be concerned and act without prejudice regarding any new outbreak of disease. We must remain vigilant and act responsibility to contain and prevent a possible pandemic.

   Cambodia has already stopped importing pigs and pork meat from neighboring countries. Maybe it would be prudent if the Philippines did the same.


** NEWS UPDATE

China’s top veterinary official Jia Youling has now openly informed the international community that the disease affecting China’s piggeries is in fact a new strain of blue ear pig disease. It is even more contagious and deadlier than any previous known variant of the disease. It is even affecting and killing adult pigs and boars as that of what Vietnam has reported within their borders these past few months. The disease has also spread to 2 other provinces in Vietnam at the time of this writing! Further testing will confirm if the strain in Vietnam originated from China through imported pigs. Myanmar has also recently reported a similar outbreak of this fast moving and deadly disease that is also affecting their piggeries.