HO CHI MINH CITY, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Ho Chi Minh City has been stricken by African swine fever (ASF), becoming Vietnam's 55th locality hit by the animal disease, Vietnam News Agency reported on Tuesday.

Specimens from pigs raised by a household in the city's District 9 have been tested positive to the ASF virus, according to the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

To prevent ASF from spreading, local agencies have culled all 163 pigs raised by the household and have disinfected surrounding areas.

ASF is a severe viral disease affecting domestic pigs and boars which can be spread by live or dead pigs and pork products. The ASF virus is harmless to human, but causes hemorrhagic fever in pigs and wild boars that is almost fatal.