The report Sunday said uniformed officials scoured pork retailers in two Nanshan district markets Saturday and confiscated the meat which they described as "problematic.''

Officials were quoted in the report as saying that tests are being conducted and Streptococcus Suis bacteria infection has not been not ruled out.

Shenzhen officials even went to private residences in the district and confiscated any uncooked pork.

People who had already eaten the pork were told their health would be monitored over the next few days.

Preliminary investigation indicates the pork had been cut from 100 pigs imported from Henan province. The bacteria, which usually affects pigs, has affected a total of 215 people in Sichuan province since June, of which 39 have died.

Hong Kong banned the import of frozen pork from Sichuan July 28, with the shortfall being made up by imports from other provinces.

Traders say none of the SAR's pork comes from Henan.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said it is monitoring developments and urged the public not to panic as all the pork imported comes from authorized farms.

The department also warned people returning from overseas or the mainland not to bring pork into the territory.

Eight people in the territory have been infected by the disease, according to the Center for Health Protection.

Last week, the center and Department of Health said they had received a report that an unnamed 78-year-old woman was diagnosed with the virulent Streptococcus Suis disease when she was admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital in Mong Kok last Monday.

The woman, who lives in Mong Kok, is listed in a stable condition.

She had not left the territory and there are no signs that anyone else in her household has been affected, health authorities said.

matthew.lee@singtaonewscorp.com