Earlier, the territory's Health, Welfare and Food Bureau, to allay fears, had assured the public that frozen pork from Sichuan was safe to eat and that the city does not import live pigs from the province.

The suspension follows a report Monday by China's official Xinhua News Agency that the villagers may have been killed by bacteria that are common among pigs.

Streptococcus Common Among Pigs

Zeng Huajin, a senior official with the Sichuan provincial health department, said the disease hitting villagers is "probably" caused by a type of streptococcus common among pigs, according to Xinhua.

A special team from the ministries of health and agriculture has been sent to investigate the deaths.

Initially, nine fatalities were found among 20 farm workers -- 19 men and a woman, aged from 30 to 70 -- who became ill between June 24 and July 21.

All of them fell ill after butchering sick animals, Xinhua said.

17 Died, 12 in Critical Condition

So far, 58 people are suspected of having been affected, Xinhua added, quoting a statement issued by provincial health officials late Sunday.

Of those 58, 17 died, 12 are in critical condition and another 27 are recovering at three hospitals. Two have been released from hospital.

The villagers' symptoms include high fever, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Some also became comatose and exhibited bruising under the skin.