China reports new African swine fever outbreak

China reports new African swine fever outbreak

Pigs are seen at a backyard farm on the outskirts of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China, on Sept 5. (Reuters photo)
Pigs are seen at a backyard farm on the outskirts of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China, on Sept 5. (Reuters photo)

BEIJING: China's northern region of Inner Mongolia has reported a new outbreak of African swine fever, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Monday, as authorities struggle to contain the highly contagious disease.

The ministry said a slaughterhouse in the city of Hohhot reported the outbreak, adding that four pigs were infected with, and two had died from, African swine fever.

China has banned the transport of live hogs and pig products from regions bordering provinces where African swine fever has been reported. The outbreak of the disease is not the first in Inner Mongolia.

Thai livestock officials stationed at borders and airports have been put on high alert against pig smuggling amid growing concern over an epidemic of African swine flu in China.

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