South Korea placed an import ban Thursday on pork from Poland after the Eastern European country reported discovery of African swine virus.

The ban, effective immediately, affects all pork products, including processed ham, from Poland, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

The move is only aimed at preventing an inflow of the animal disease into the country, the ministry said, adding the disease does not affect humans.

“The African swine fever only affects pigs. The import ban seeks to prevent an outbreak of the disease in the country and has nothing to do with food safety or public health,” it said in a press release.

However, the ban may prevent Polish pork imports for at least three years as the local law on animal quarantine stipulates that a country exporting pork products to South Korea must remain free of the disease for at least three years prior to its first shipment, the ministry said.

In 2013, South Korea imported 11,700 tons of fresh pork and pork products from Poland. (Yonhap)