African swine fever outbreak in Beijing confirmed

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs confirmed a new outbreak of African swine fever in Beijing's Fangshan district on Friday.

The authority confirmed the swine fever in two towns - namely Qinglonghu and Liulihe, both in Fangshan district.

Among 1,325 pigs raised at a farm in Qinglonghu, 49 pigs were confirmed dead. Among 429 pigs raised at a farm in Liulihe, 37 pigs were confirmed dead.

The ministry has sent a working team to the affected area, while the local authorities have initiated an emergency response to block, cull and disinfect the affected pigs.

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

In August, China reported the first case of the disease in Liaoning province in the northeast of the country.