PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed mass mortality, pig – Papua New Guinea (03): (SL) comment

Undiagnosed — Papua New Guinea
I saw many cases of anthrax in pigs in both the Eastern Highlands and the Lumi area of the Sepik District of PNG when I worked as a veterinarian in that country from 1954-1964. Clinically the disease was characterized by swelling of the pharyngeal region. Most pigs developing this sign died within a few days. In the outbreaks I investigated, village people told me that between 10 and 20% of their pigs died. They knew and feared this disease, attributed it to “poison” but recognised its