Prevention of the disease requires high levels of hygiene, using hot water and disinfectants.
The disease, which kills almost all pigs it infects, has no cure and no vaccine. While China is developing a vaccine against the disease, Yang cautioned that the most advanced product was still at a preclinical trial phase.
A pickup in the transport of live pigs could also raise risks nationwide. China is entering its peak pork demand period with upcoming holidays and more supplies are likely to be moved to high consumption regions.
Recovery of pig output was also set to raise the risk of outbreaks.
“African swine fever has contaminated large areas of our country and outbreaks are expected to continue to take place in spots,” Yang said.
