In Sichuan Province, the number of people infected with streptococcus suis bacteria has risen to 163, with 38 deaths. In addition, this pig-borne epidemic is rapidly spreading to other regions within the province.
The rare disease was first recorded in Denmark in 1968. Although human infection from this bacteria has been found in both Europe and Asia, there have only been around 200 cases worldwide, with most of the patients only having a slight or sporadic infection.
This is unlike the large-scale infection in Sichuan, which, with the mortality rate currently standing at 20 percent, is more lethal than SARS.
No wonder the whole world, particularly the World Health Organization (WHO), has been on alert.
Streptococcus suis needs blood or serum to propagate. However, the bacterium is not very resistant to heat, for either cooking food thoroughly or boiling water can kill it.
There are different types of streptococcus suis and each type of animal is susceptible to a certain type of streptococcus.
Human infection often occurs in the form of sores, laryngitis and pneumonia.
Even scarlet fever, a rash accompanied by a sore throat, is also caused by the streptococcus bacteria.
There are a variety of pig-related streptococcus suis bacteria, the most common of which is the group D streptococcus, also known as serotype 2, which can cause meningitis, arthritis and endocarditis.
In Taiwan, cases of pigs -- especially young ones -- affected by streptococcus suis are nothing unusual at all, with meningitis being the most commonly seen symptom.
Affected pigs get a high fever and display neurological symptoms, losing control of their motor functions and thrashing around uncontrollably. For the time being, there is no known cure or vaccine.
The infection of pigs primarily takes place through skin abrasions, and young pigs are most susceptible when they are undergoing earmarking, tail docking, castration and injections. Streptococcus is common on pig farms. It lies dormant in the nasal cavity and tonsils of the pig, and so can also cause infection in the oral cavity.
As streptococcus infections in pig farms are quite sporadic, it doesn't generally lead to large outbreaks or mortality in humans. For this reason, no country actually designates it as a contagious disease.
Streptococcus suis serotype 2 is responsible for many forms of swine infection all over the world, and is also recognized as a zoonotic agent, or able to cause disease in humans. It is also considered to be an occupational disease. People who have frequent contact with pigs, such as pig breeders, veterinarians and butchers, are more susceptible to it.
Human infection is often linked to skin wounds or by eating contaminated pork or pork that is not properly cooked.
After a person is infected, the disease -- whose incubation period is believed to be more than three days -- may bring about septicemia, or blood poisoning, with symptoms such as a high fever, vomiting, hemorrhaging and even severe shock, which can be fatal.
If it is diagnosed at an early stage, it can be cured most readily with a large dose of penicillin or erythromycin.
In the past it has not been classed as a statutory disease, as human infection was infrequent, with only a small number of people affected through contact with pigs.
However, the recent outbreak of the epidemic in Sichuan is something else entirely, and one could say it is the most large-scale and serious outbreak of the disease in history.
It is likely that a type of streptococcus suis has mutated into a new strain. Whether or not the virus has incorporated other types of viruses is still unknown.
When SARS first broke out in China, pathogens such as chlamydia and paramyxovirus were initially thought to be the culprit.
Afterwards, scientists found that a type of coronavirus was responsible.
If the epidemic in Sichuan has been caused by streptococcus suis bacteria, the virus can only be transmitted via skin wounds or infections, not by air. Also, as a specific group of people are known to be vulnerable, there should be little risk of an epidemic occurring. Even if someone contracts the virus from pigs, they are unlikely to pass it on to another person.
This is similar to the outbreak of the Nipah virus in Malaysia in 1998, where there was no human-to-human infection, keeping the death toll to around 100 and containing the outbreak within Malaysia's borders.
Although Taiwan has frequent exchanges with China and many Taiwanese pig breeders also run pig farms there, the Taiwanese have no reason for concern.
Nevertheless, it is advisable to avoid traveling to Sichuan when visiting China.
It is also important not to come into contact with pigs there or eat anything uncooked or raw, and to thoroughly wash one's hands.
If these precautions are followed, then there is no reason why anyone should be at risk of infection.
In China, the government generally covers up epidemics relating to either animals or humans until they are no longer able to do so, SARS being a perfect example.
Therefore, the authorities here should maintain strict checks on the import of Chinese animals and livestock, and the general public should also cooperate with these policies to ensure that Taiwan isn't put at risk.
Lai Shiow-suey is a professor in the department of veterinary medicine at National Taiwan University.
TRANSLATED BY DANIEL CHENG
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