PHNOM PENH, July 15 (Xinhua) -- African swine fever has spread to southern Cambodia's Kandal province, bringing the total number of provinces hit by the virus to five, Agriculture Minister Veng Sakhon said in a statement released to the media on Monday.
The virus was found at backyard pigs in Ksach Kandal district's Kampong Chamlong commune and in Sa'ang district's Kraing Yov commune, he said, adding that the new cases were confirmed by the Institute of Animal Health and Production on July 11.
According to the statement, the minister ordered the authorities to cull all pigs at the outbreak areas, place the affected zones under surveillance and closely monitor the virus within a 10-km radius of the outbreak areas.
"Buying, selling and transporting live pigs, pig meat and pork-made products within a 3-km radius of the outbreak areas must be suspended," Sakhon said.
He said African swine fever does not harm humans, but kills pigs and there is no vaccine or cure.
The first outbreak of the virus in backyard pigs in Ratanakiri province was confirmed by the ministry in early April, and more cases were subsequently discovered in Tboung Khmum, Svay Rieng, Takeo, and Kandal provinces.
Tan Phannara, director general of the General Directorate of Animal Health and Production, said last Thursday that the virus had killed more than 1,000 pigs, and almost 800 others had been culled to prevent the spread of the virus. Enditem