Blue-eared pig disease

A mystery virus that has killed tens of thousands of pigs in China has spread to 26 provinces. The highly infectious blue-eared pig disease was detected in north China's Shanxi province, making it the 26th out of the country's 33 provinces and regions that has been infected.

According to government statistics, the deadly swine virus had killed more than 40,000 pigs in China as of July and authorities had slaughtered thousands more in an attempt to stop the deadly disease from spreading.

Last month, state media reported that 165,144 pigs in 25 provinces had been infected with the disease between January and July. Experts quoted in the Western media, however, expressed doubts about these figures, suspecting a more serious crisis as the virus turned more virulent after a mutation.

There were 482 million pigs across China as of 2004. Now I better check those Pigs onboard my car if they do have this blue ears thingy..