African swine fever outbreak in Beijing suburb
By Bao Han
People's Daily app
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(File photo: VCG)

Two outbreaks of African swine fever have been found affecting farms in Beijing’s Fangshan District, said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on Friday.

The China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center confirmed that outbreaks of African swine fever were found in farms in Qinglonghu town and Liulihe town, according to the ministry.

At present, 49 pigs have been found dead among 1,325 pigs raised at the farm in Qinglonghu; 37 pigs have been found dead among 429 pigs raised at the farm in Liulihe.

The ministry sent a steering group immediately after the outbreak.

The local government has started an emergency response mechanism as required, implementing a blockade, culling and disinfection.

African swine fever is a highly contagious, viral disease that infects pigs. It does not affect other animal species and it does not affect humans.

China reported its first case of the disease in August in the northeastern province of Liaoning. Later outbreaks were reported in several other provincial regions. 

(With inputs from Xinhua)