916,000 pigs culled to curb African swine fever

BEIJING - China has reined in the African swine fever epidemic with 916,000 pigs culled as of Jan 14, the agriculture and rural affairs ministry said Tuesday.

"Outbreaks are sporadic and not at epidemic proportions," according to ministry spokesperson Guang Defu.

Since August, 24 provincial-level regions have reported cases, with blockades now lifted in 77 infected areas of 21 regions, Guang said.

The ministry has always followed the principles of being "timely, open and transparent" in reporting the cases, Guang said.

African swine fever is believed to infect only pigs, and no humans or other species have thus far been infected.

China reported its first case of the disease in August 2018 in the northeastern province of Liaoning.