Deadly illness in China linked to pig bacteria

China's Ministry of Health has confirmed an illness that has killed at least 19 people involves bacteria that had spread among pigs.

All pork exports from the southwestern province of Sichuan have been suspended.

The disease has proved so deadly that more than a quarter of the 67 pigs confirmed to have it in the province have died.

The ministry's website says, "Experts have initially diagnosed that the disease is caused by streptococcus suis bacteria infection." It says the human infection occurred during the slaughtering or processing of infected pigs.

No human-to-human infection has been found.

A World Health Organization official said the UN body was pleased with China's response so far.

"I think the first thing that pops into everyone's mind is avian influenza and then comes SARS ... at this point, we don't see that kind of threat looming, but we are watching it very closely, and China has taken it very seriously too and they've responded very strongly," said the WHO's Bob Dietz.

The China Daily reported an investigation by a group of experts found that the infected farmers had all slaughtered diseased pigs.

Chinese reports said the cases were scattered among 75 villages in Ziyang and Neijiang cities.

The disease is rare, with the first recorded case found in Denmark in 1968.

Hong Kong's Health, Welfare and Food Bureau said pork exports from the affected cities have been halted.

Hong Kong imports 30,000 tonnes of frozen pork from Sichuan province annually.