Export of all pork products from Ziyang and Neijiang in Sichuan have been suspended amid reports of mysterious pig-related deaths in the area, the Health, Welfare & Food Bureau says.

Surveillance of registered export pig farms on the Mainland will be stepped up, it said today.

Hong Kong imports frozen pork but not live pigs from Sichuan province. All pork previously exported to Hong Kong has been certified safe.

The State General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection & Quarantine also affirmed that registered export farms under the supervision of the Entry-Exit Inspection & Quarantine Bureau had not been affected by the epidemic and no staff have been infected.

All Mainland pork must be accompanied by health certificates, which certify the pigs have passed inspection and are free of infectious disease. Authorities will step up inspection and quarantine.

The Centre for Health Protection has contacted the Ministry of Health to obtain the latest information, while the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department has advised farmers to monitor their and their livestock's health.