17 Jiangsu hogs infected with African swine fever

China reported a new case of African swine fever in eastern Jiangsu province, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said, Xinhua reports.

The disease was detected in 17 hogs illegally transported from outside the province in the city of Suqian, three of which were already dead, according to the ministry.

Local authorities have taken immediate measures in response, including disposing of all the pigs, disinfecting related spots and roads and investigating the case.

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. Later outbreaks were reported in other provincial regions.