ULAN BATOR, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia has identified an outbreak of African swine plague in four provinces, which has caused thousands of deaths of pigs, local media reported on Monday, citing the country's State Central Veterinary Laboratory.
"As of Monday, there have been outbreaks of the viral disease in four provinces, namely Bulgan and Orkhon in the north, Tuv in the central and Dundgovi in the south," the laboratory said in a statement.
Thousands of pigs have died from the lethal disease, it said, adding around 250 pigs have been confirmed dead in Orkhon province.
The country's Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry has asked local governments to step up monitoring and take necessary measures to fight the disease.
In addition, transport of all pigs and related products out of or into these provinces has been banned.
The African pig plague is a highly contagious viral disease that only infects pigs, and no humans or other species have thus far been infected.
