African Swine Fever Outbreak in South Korea: 19th Case Confirmed

African Swine Fever Outbreaks Expand in South Korea, Raising Livestock Industry Concerns

South Korea is battling a resurgence of African swine fever (ASF), with new cases reported in both Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, and Muang, South Jeolla Province, prompting swift quarantine measures and raising concerns for the nation’s livestock industry. The outbreaks, occurring within a relatively short timeframe, underscore the persistent threat posed by the highly contagious viral disease.

The latest confirmed case, reported on February 20th, involves a pig farm in Muang’s Hyeongyeong-myeon district. Authorities have dispatched rapid response teams and epidemiological investigators to the site, immediately restricting access to the farm for both people and animals. Approximately 3,500 pigs at the affected farm are slated for culling as part of preventative measures, according to reports from the Gwangju Broadcasting Company.

Alongside the culling operation, officials are undertaking intensive disinfection efforts targeting the affected farm and surrounding roads within Muang. A temporary movement control order has been imposed on all pig farms, slaughterhouses, and feed factories within a 10-kilometer radius encompassing six neighboring cities and counties: Muang, Hampyeong, Naju, Yeongam, Mokpo, and Shinan. This order restricts the movement of personnel, vehicles, and livestock for a period of 24 hours, aiming to contain potential spread.

The South Jeolla Province government is urging all pig farmers nationwide to actively participate in a comprehensive nationwide inspection of pig farms. Administrative orders have been issued prohibiting gatherings of farm workers and preventing the introduction of illegally imported livestock products onto farms. These measures are intended to reinforce biosecurity protocols and minimize the risk of further transmission.

The recent outbreaks bring the total number of ASF cases confirmed in South Korea this year to 19. Within South Jeolla Province, this marks the third confirmed instance, following previous cases in Yeonggwang and Naju. The rapid succession of cases highlights the challenges authorities face in controlling the disease.

A previous outbreak was reported in Hwaseong on February 8th, and a subsequent case was confirmed in the same city on February 19th. City officials in Hwaseong are conducting an epidemiological investigation and restricting access to the affected sites, with all pigs at the impacted farms also scheduled for culling. Preventative measures are being strengthened across all 87 pig farms within the municipality.

ASF is a highly contagious viral disease affecting swine, often resulting in mortality rates approaching 100%. Currently, there is no vaccine or effective treatment available. The economic consequences of outbreaks can be severe, leading to widespread culling of livestock and significant disruption to the pork industry. The disease is considered a major threat to the livestock sector globally.

In Changnyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do province, a series of ASF outbreaks over the past ten days have also put the local livestock industry on high alert. This marks the first confirmed cases of ASF in the Gyeongnam region. Authorities in Changnyeong have culled and buried over 6,080 pigs from affected farms, including farms in Daehap-myeon and Changnyeong-eup. Movement restrictions and intensive clinical inspections are in place at 14 pig farms within a 10-kilometer quarantine zone.

The ongoing outbreaks underscore the vulnerability of South Korea’s pig farming industry to ASF, despite ongoing preventative measures. The government’s response focuses on rapid detection, containment, and culling, but the continued emergence of new cases suggests the need for a comprehensive review of biosecurity protocols and potential long-term strategies for managing the disease. The situation is being closely monitored by livestock authorities and industry stakeholders across the country.

Concerns have also been raised regarding the potential origin of the outbreaks. A recent social media post highlighted concerns about pigs found drifting towards Kinmen (Taiwan), with testing underway to determine if they are linked to ASF.