BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania's prime minister has asked a top European Union official for funds to deal with the financial effects of a serious outbreak of African swine fever.

Premier Viorica Dancila told the EU's agriculture commissioner, Phil Hogan, that Romania needs the money "to reduce the unfortunate impact" the disease has had on Romanian farmers.

The Veterinary Health and Food Safety Authority said Thursday that 230,000 pigs had been slaughtered and that 900 outbreaks have been reported around the country, with the southeast the worst affected.

It said it was processing some 3,100 claims totaling 47.6 million lei ($11.9 million), with 500,000 lei compensation already paid to farmers.

African swine fever doesn't affect humans, but it can be deadly for domestic pigs and wild boars.