Infected pigs given certificates clearing them of disease

Four people in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region were detained after a quarantine certificate - which certifies that an animal is free of disease - was issued for pigs that had African swine fever. The pigs were then transported into the region, local authorities said.

The improper certificate was discovered in Hohhot.

On Saturday, a veterinarian stationed at a slaughterhouse in the city noticed two dead pigs and two others with abnormal symptoms. On Monday, it was confirmed that the pigs had African swine fever.