February 12, 2008

BEIJING – Record temperatures and snow storms have left China a country frozen in a natural disaster and possibly in danger of animal epidemics.

The Chinese government issued a warning to localities that the snow disaster may have weakened livestock and left them vulnerable to epidemics like the avian influenza and blue-ear pig disease.

While no epidemics have been reported, authorities circulated pamphlets to farmers with advice on how to prevent an outbreak.

Farmers should examine their breeding facilities, sterilize pens, clean up snow and reinforce damaged shelters to maintain proper indoor temperatures for livestock.

The pamphlets also outlined that dead poultry and livestock should be cared for humanely and are banned from being sold in the market.

In Baoji City alone, nearly 20,000 cows, sheep and pigs have frozen to death after their livestock pens were weighed down and destroyed by ice as much as 3 inches thick.

The country has been under a deep freeze since January 10 where some regions have been hit by a record snow fall, the worst in more than 50 years. But for a couple areas, it’s the worst winter weather on record in a century.

Winter weather is dangerous to all animals. It is recommended that pets and livestock are kept warm with a shelter that shields them from moisture, cold and especially wind.

The Canadian Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Fisheries advises that indoor shelter for livestock at a minimum be 40 F.

But do not use a heat lamp or other type of home heater to maintain this temperature. This is dangerous and could cause fires.

Check with your local pet and feed stories for heated floor mats or non-electric bedding. Another good insulator is deeply bedded straw.

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