Vietnam hit by outbreak of blue-eared pig disease

The disease, which last year hit farms in Vietnam and China, does not infect humans but reduces immunity in pigs, causing secondary infections of diseases such as salmonella, experts say.

New outbreaks have been reported in four central provinces in recent weeks — Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh and Quang Nam — killing or forcing the slaughter of 50,000 pigs, a veterinary official said.