The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has reported an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) at a pig farm on China’s Hainan island. In 2018, there was a major outbreak and pork prices rose as less production fell.
OIE sent a notice on Tuesday stating that ASF had been detected at a Chinese pig farm. Although it is not harmful to humans, ASF can be deadly to pigs. It is situated on Hainan island, which lies just south of mainland China.
A 2021 Chinese study estimated that the 2018-2019 outbreak contributed to a total economic loss of 0.78% to China’s gross domestic product in 2019. The outbreak led to the deaths and culling of millions of pigs and a huge rise in the price of pork – China’s most-eaten meat.
Also available at massnews.com
Researchers in Japan discover a new infectious disease.
Tuesday’s report is not the first such outbreak of swine flu registered in China this year. Earlier in 2021, a number of cases were noted in Sichuan – the country’s top hog-producing province.
China is the world’s top pork producer and is home to half of the globe’s pigs.
You think your friends might be interested in this story? Tell your friends!
[ad_2]
