Pig disease sweeps across China

China's chief veterinarian has said that 'high fever disease' which kills pigs has now spread across China.

According to Jia Youling, director of the veterinarian department of the Ministry of Agriculture, 'high fever disease' or 'blue ear disease', has infected pigs in 22 provinces and regions in the first five months of this year. The disease has to date reportedly killed more than 18,000 pigs.

Although blue ear disease (also known as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome) does not affect people it can be fatal for pigs; it was first identified in the United States in 1987.

China's head vet says the virus has developed into a variant that is more virulent leading to higher mortality rates.

He also says they have already developed testing and vaccines for the disease and reported the outbreaks to the relevant international organizations.

Pork is a sensitive political issue in China and the disease has been blamed for sharply increased pork prices which have risen by 43 percent in the last year.

The jump in price was considered so serious that the Cabinet held an emergency session to discuss the situation and Premier Wen Jiabao made public appearances state television to address public concerns.

The disease has caused panic among pig breeding farms and apparently many farmers have stopped raising pigs because of concerns they will lose out financially if the animals die and as pork is the first meat choice of most Chinese, the outbreak is a cause for general concern.