Officials in the Indonesian province of Papua say an outbreak of classical swine fever has killed at least 8-thousand,7-hundred domestic pigs there since April.
The head of the provincial Animal Quarantine Office, Elias Inte, says the fever, also known as hog cholera, is spreading rapidly through the Mimika regency.
Mr Inte says the fever was detected in four villages a few months ago but was only recently confirmed by veterinarians.
He says vets are now vaccinating pigs against the virus and controlling movements of stock.
Swine fever decimates pig populations but doesn't affect humans.
Officials suspect it was imported to Papua in November among pigs brought in as part of an Indonesian food aid programme.
