A total of 8,382 pigs have been culled in nearby farms after 1,474 pigs were suspected of contracting the highly contagious disease on Feb 22, Xinhua cited Yu Yedong, deputy director of Guangdong Provincial Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau, as saying.

 

Agricultural ministry urged intensive vaccinations to prevent outbreaks of diseases, including bird flu and blue ear. This year's prevention work will face more challenges and difficulties, vice minister Gao Hongbin told a national conference last week without elaborating.

 

Industry officials told Reuters that pig diseases have been frequently reported in some northern Chinese provinces early in the year.