December 11, 2007

China denies African swine fever outbreak in Heilongjiang

Chinese officials denied reports that African swine fever had broken out in the north-eastern province of Heilongjiang.

The Ministry of Agriculture said that pigs on 76 swine farms and households in 14 towns in the cities of Huli and Mishan have been tested negative.

The ministry also explained that pigs' blood and tissue samples have been tested according to stipulations laid down by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The pigs were proved to be healthy.

China has no previous cases of African swine fever outbreak. The country bans all imports of live pigs and pork products from African countries hit by the disease.