RSSNewsletterSiteMapFeedback

Home · Weather · Forum · Learning Chinese · Jobs · Shopping
Search This Site
China | International | Business | Government | Environment | Olympics/Sports | Travel/Living in China | Culture/Entertainment | Books & Magazines | Health
Home / Government / Central Government News Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read
Pig Disease Claims Rejected
Adjust font size:

A top veterinary official yesterday rejected speculation that China is playing down an outbreak of swine disease, saying it has always been "open and transparent" in sharing epidemic information with the international community.

The Ministry of Agriculture has given regular updates about the outbreak of blue ear disease to the United Nations Food and Animal Organization (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health since the disease was detected, said Jia Youling, chief veterinary officer with the ministry.

"This has prevented unnecessary suspicion and misunderstandings and helped the international community understand the situation," said Jia.

A New York Times article last week said China had failed to share tissue samples of affected pigs with the international community and that its lack of transparency about the disease was generating fears of a global panic.

Jia said the ministry is prepared to provide such samples, but no international body had made any requests for them.

"We welcome any party to cooperate with China in disease prevention and control," said Jia, adding that China had already sent vaccination samples to neighboring Vietnam, where a similar epidemic was detected.

Guo Fusheng, a technical advisor with the FAO China branch, confirmed that the organization has not yet formally asked China for tissue samples.

Acknowledging China's promise of cooperation, Guo said the FAO will conduct a field trip next week to decide which sample to collect.

By Saturday, the blue ear pig disease had spread to 26 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities on the mainland, killing 68,000 pigs and prompting officials to destroy an additional 175,000 pigs, said Jia.

Shandong, Sichuan, Heilongjiang, Jilin and the Tibet Autonomous Region remain unaffected.

The country has so far vaccinated 100 million pigs against the disease, Guo said.

The disease, which does not affect people, can be fatal for pigs.

"We have seen initial signs of success in controlling the outbreak of the highly pathogenic blue ear pig disease," said Jia.

Agriculture Minister Sun Zhengcai proposed early this month that all vulnerable swine be vaccinated by the end of November.

"We could meet that goal if the vaccination makers ramp up production," said Wang Changjiang, director of the Division of Animal Disease Prevention and Control.

Eleven factories are now producing the vaccine. They will have a daily production capacity of 250 million ml in September, greatly easing the shortage, said Jia.

Though developed over the course of just half a year, which is less time than usual for a vaccine, Jia said the formula had been subjected to strict scientific procedures and was up to international norms.

(China Daily August 21, 2007)

Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read

Comment
Username   Password   Anonymous
 
China Archives
Related >>
- 'Blue Ear' Pig Disease Found in Shanxi
- Blue-ear Pig Disease Outbreak Confirmed
- MOA: Blue-ear Pig Disease Infections Down in July
- HK Stocks Close Higher Led by Blue Chips
- Pig Disease Remains a Big Challenge
Most Viewed >>
-'We have faith,' Premier Wen tells country
-China works to limit snow-related chaos
-Chinese Servicemen to Wear New Uniforms
-Solution to Clean up Pollution Disgrace
-Lin Shusen reelected governor of Guizhou
Questions and Answers More
Q: What kind of law is there in place to protect pandas?
A: In order to put the protection of giant pandas and other wildlife under the law, the Chinese government put the protection of rare animals and plants into the Constitution.
Useful Info
- Who's Who in China's Leadership
- State Structure
- China's Political System
- China's Legislative System
- China's Judicial System
- Mapping out 11th Five-Year Guidelines
Links
- Chinese Embassies
- International Department, Central Committee of CPC
- State Organs Work Committee of CPC
- United Front Work Department, Central Committee of CPC
SiteMap | About Us | RSS | Newsletter | Feedback

Copyright © China.org.cn. All Rights Reserved E-mail: webmaster@china.org.cn Tel: 86-10-88828000 京ICP证 040089号