'All Steps In Place Against African Swine Fever'

The undersecretary for health, Chui Tak-yi, on Friday said government has strict measures in place to prevent the spread of African swine fever, which has spread across the mainland.

A pig carcass discovered on a Cheung Chau beach had tested negative for African swine fever, he said.

The discovery of the carcass had ignited fears that it may have carried the disease from the mainland, where it has spread across a large swathe of the country.

Chui reassured the public that Hong Kong has measures in place to prevent the spread of African swine fever to the city.

He said there is no pig farm within a three-kilometre radius of the spot where the pig was found.

The official said Hong Kong is maintaining tight controls under the current pig import system and employing disinfection measures on the lorries used to transport them, the slaughterhouses and the local farms.