Guangdong bans transportation of pigs due to African swine fever outbreak in Hunan

Chinese authorities have banned the transportation of live pigs from Guangdong to other regions, after reports of African swine fever (ASF) in neighbouring Hunan.

Beijing acted quickly after there were two reported outbreaks of African swine fever in Hunan.

Authorities prohibited the transportation of pigs from any provinces that have reported cases of African swine fever, as well as transport of pigs from neighbouring regions.

There have been 40 separate outbreaks of African swine fever in 11 provinces and municipalities since the virus was first discovered in China in August of this year.

While the disease was first recorded in Africa during the early 20th century, there had been no recorded cases of ASF in China until August of this year.

Guangdong’s ban will last until all neighbouring provinces lift their swine fever-related restrictions.

The news has come after Japanese authorities confiscated African swine fever infected pork in a sausage being carried into the country by a traveller from Beijing.