SEOUL, Jan 17 (NNN-YONHAP) – An outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) has been confirmed at a pig farm in Gangneung, a city in South Korea’s Gangwon province, it was reported today.
Local authorities said today that, about 20,000 pigs raised at the farm will be culled in accordance with quarantine regulations.
The report said, local animal health authorities began testing, after the farm owner reported pig deaths yesterday. The results, confirmed at around 1.00 a.m. local time today, showed the pigs had tested positive for ASF. This marks the first ASF case reported in Gangwon province, in about 14 months, following the previous outbreak detected in Nov, 2024.
To prevent the spread of the disease, quarantine authorities have dispatched an initial response team and an epidemiological investigation team to the farm. Access to the premises has been restricted, while disinfection and epidemiological investigations are underway.
African swine fever is an acute, highly contagious viral disease affecting pigs, characterised by high fever, severe internal bleeding and a high mortality rate. The disease is not transmissible to humans, but contaminated food, footwear, tools and vehicles can facilitate the spread of the virus.– NNN-YONHAP