Thousands of dead pigs were found in the Huangpu river in China last week, prompting concerns about contaminated water in Shanghai.
The New York Times reports that more than 2,800 dead pigs were found floating in the river, with the number of carcasses expected to rise.
Concerns over food safety, water contamination and environmental pollution are a major concern.
The carcasses were likely dumped in the river. The Global Times states that Xu Rong, director of Shanghai Songjiang District Environmental Protection Bureau states the there is fear among residents.
"We have to act quickly to remove them all for fear of causing water pollution."
The Global Times reports that the government in Shanghai posted a notice on their website stating that workers are "continuing to collect carcasses from the river" and that the government is "closely monitoring the water quality although no pollution has been found so far."
News agency Xinhua states that a sample of the river water tested positive for porcine circovirus. This virus reportedly cannot be spread to humans but it is found in pigs.
"So far, water quality has not been affected, but we have to remove the pigs as quickly as possible and can’t let their bodies rot in the water." - Xu Rong, the director of Shanghai’s Songjiang District Environmental Protection Bureau
According to Xu Rong, the dead pigs are being tested to find out how they died. Results will take approximately three days to get back.
