A senior agricultural official said local authorities must respond swiftly and effectively when an outbreak of African swine fever occurs to stop the disease from spreading.

Yu Kangzhen, vice-minister of agriculture and rural affairs, made the remark during a four-day inspection he led to sites crucial for control and prevention of the disease in Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces and the Inner Mongolia autonomous region between Sept 18 and 21.

The sites included pig farms, ports of entry on the China-Russia border and animal health inspection stations on highways, a statement released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Sunday night.

The supervision team included officials from the ministry, the National Health Commission and the Ministry of Public Security. Problems they found were reported to local governments.

Customs officials across China have intensified their efforts to control and prevent the disease. In Hefei, Anhui province, where eight African swine fever cases have been identified since August, customs officials have stopped importing products made of pork from countries and regions where the disease is prevalent, and inspections have been intensified for the carry-on items, parcels and luggage of inbound passengers.

Yu urged local officials to take prompt measures following an outbreak, including the quarantine and slaughter of pigs, so the disease can be contained and eliminated in the shortest possible time.

Local authorities and businesses will be held accountable for failing to take responsibility for disease control and prevention to ensure the safe production and supply of pork, he said.