Pigs culled amid African swine fever outbreak

China's top regulator for agricultural and rural affairs confirmed the country's first ever outbreak of African swine fever in Liaoning province, which it said has been put under control after emergency response measures like pig culling and quarantines.

On Wednesday, 47 of 383 hogs were reportedly dead at a farm in Shenbei New Area in Shenyang, capital of the province. After receiving the report, officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs rushed to take samples and lead prevention and control, according to a statement posted on the authority's website on Friday.

Also on Friday, China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center confirmed the outbreak was caused by African swine fever, the statement said, adding the ministry has launched an emergency response and the disease has been brought under control.