Epidemic Is Killing Pigs in Southeastern China

New York Times ^ | May 7, 2007 | Keith Bradsher

[Cyropaedia]

HONG KONG, May 7 — A mysterious epidemic is killing pigs in southeastern China, but international and Hong Kong authorities said today that the Chinese government is providing little information about it, or about the contaminated wheat gluten that has caused deaths and illnesses in other animals.

The lack of even basic details is reviving longstanding questions about whether China is willing to share information about health and food safety issues with potential global implications.

The Chinese government — and particularly the government of Guangdong Province, which is adjacent to Hong Kong — was criticized in 2003 for concealing information about the SARS virus for the first four months after it emerged in Foshan, 95 miles northwest of Hong Kong. After SARS spread to Hong Kong and around the world, top Chinese officials promised to improve disclosure.

But officials in Hong Kong as well as at the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization, both agencies of the United Nations, said today that they been told almost nothing about the latest pig deaths, and been given limited details about wheat gluten contamination.

[metmom]

Sounds more viral than melamine poisoning.

Great.

[darth]

Sounds like it could be Ebola or some or other hemoragic (sp?) virus. The Chinese better start applying some of their newfound wealth to better environmental and health issues before they de-populate their own country.

[Gorzaloon]

I’ve seen porceline pigs, but not melamine..........

Well, you know those cheap imitations they make..like those horrible "Rolex" watches...

[Red Badger]

You mean my Rorex is FAKE?..........

[Global2010]

Sorry poor attempt at funny.

It really is serious stuff.

The antifreeze in the cough syrup for kids has me concerned.

My adult son uses childrens mucinex elixer daily.
(pulomonary issues meds via g tube and it works great)
The label says New Jersey (iirc) but are any ingrediants from China?

[redgolum]

Could be a lot of things. A little over a decade ago we had our own swine disease that played havoc in the US pork industry. That is why my father had to get out of the business.

[redgolum]

That sounds familiar (grew up as the son of a hog farmer). I should know some of those symptoms, but can’t quite place it.

If I have time, I will call my Dad tonight and see if he knows.

[blam]

"The Chinese better start applying some of their newfound wealth to better environmental and health issues before they de-populate their own country."

I worry that it will get a lot worse before it gets better.

[Vinnie]

Just ban all food imports from China.

BINGO

I've tried my best to avoid any China foodstuffs.
Looking for a loaf of bread last week, I didn't see one w/o wheat gluten though. Don't know where the gluten came from.

[blam]

"Looking for a loaf of bread last week, I didn't see one w/o wheat gluten though. Don't know where the gluten came from."

I think the contamination extends beyond just 'wheat gluten.'

[Loud Mime]

This is the first time that virus has killed pigs!

[aculeus]

Tastes like melamine er chicken. Nothing to see here, ignore any porcine pandemics percolating under your nose proboscis ping.

New Olympic events to be introduced in 2008: Dysentery and Barfing.

[gnarledmaw]

Its better that they accidentally depopulate themselves now than the present likely eventuality of us having to “depopulate” each other.

[Domestic Church]

Actually, H5N1 is already being referred to as “China Flu”.

[AnimalLover]

PING to read later