ROSTOV-ON-DON, July 28 (RIA Novosti) - The number of pigs killed by African swine fever virus in Russia's North Caucasus republic of North Ossetia has reached 608, the regional emergencies service said Monday.

"A total of 24 pigs have died in the past 24 hours," a statement read.

More than 3,000 pigs have been culled in the republic since the outbreak was registered on June 30, while some 8,000 potentially-infected animals have yet to be destroyed.

Outbreaks of the highly contagious virus are rare outside Africa, but last spring, Georgia, which borders North Ossetia, saw outbreaks in 10 regions. A total of 20,000 pigs were culled.

Preliminary reports said that the infection may have been brought in by wild pigs. The virus can survive for up to 15 weeks in raw pork, and up to six months in processed meat. The virus, which causes lethal hemorrhagic disease in pigs, does not pose a threat to humans.

Around 174 people have been deployed to guard the province's border, to ensure that no pork products are taken out of North Ossetia, which has approximately 115,000 pigs.