The Ukrainian veterinary service temporarily banned the importation of animals and their products because of suspected cases of African swine fever in Belarus, according to forUm, citing the press office of Ukraine's State Veterinary and Phytosanitary Service.

"Due to the informative materials regarding the death of animals in Baranovichi district of the Republic of Belarus and the suspected occurrence of African swine fever (ASF), the order of a deputy chief inspector of veterinary medicine dated May 7, 2013 temporarily, until the clarification of circumstances, forbids the import from that country to Ukraine of animals susceptible to ASF, products and raw materials from them," said the Service, Ukrinform reported.

African swine fever (Montgomery's disease) is a viral disease of domestic and wild pigs. The disease is transmitted by direct contact of infected animals with healthy ones, through pork products, ticks and mechanically (by vehicles moving people and animals). Vaccines are not available. Almost all the diseased pigs die. Animals suspected of having the disease are destroyed.