VIENTIANE, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Lao authorities have declared Xaysomboun province in central Laos a red zone following the detection of African swine fever cases in the province.

Local authorities conducted checks and officially confirmed the presence of African swine fever in Vanghai village in the Thathom district of Xaysomboun province on Feb. 19, Lao National Radio reported on Wednesday.

To prevent further spread, officials have banned the processing and sale of infected pork. The disease poses a serious threat to pig production and the livelihoods of Lao people. Authorities are calling for coordinated efforts to contain and eliminate the outbreak.

To curb transmission, increased surveillance is being conducted in several villages across Xaysomboun and Bolikhamxay provinces. Additionally, authorities will carry out inspections and collect samples for analysis to minimize losses.

Farmers have been urged to strengthen biosecurity measures and comply with movement restrictions to help control the outbreak quickly.

The African Swine Fever (ASF) can not be passed from animals to humans, but people can spread the disease.

The animal epidemic affects pigs and wild boars and has an almost 100 percent death rate. It requires high temperatures to kill the virus, which can survive up to three years in frozen meat and up to one year in dried meat. Enditem

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