Pig flu adds to avian influenza scare in Vietnam
July 26th, 2007
Vietnam, one of the most heavily hit countries by the bird flu disease, has added woes as an unusual form of pig flu has infected humans as well. While avian influenza reappeared in the central region of the country, killing hundreds of ducks in a farm, two people have fallen victims to a pig disease in northern Vietnam. Thousands of pigs have been killed in recent weeks and two out of 22 hospitalized victims of the pig disease have died. The virus causes severe internal hemorrhage as well as high fever.
Infection is usually due to the person eating pork from a diseased pig or inhaling the air next to the sick animal. Transport of pigs and pork from infected areas is expected to be banned to attempt to stop the spread of the disease.