June 16, 2005

South Korea hit by fresh hog cholera outbreak
 

Korean government officials reported that over 1,000 pigs were culled in Chungju city, 147 kilometres south of Seoul, after a hog cholera outbreak.

The outbreak in South Chungcheong Province was first suspected in late May when a farm in Chungju reported pig deaths.

According to the government, tests were conducted on all 3,060 pigs at the farm, of which several hundred tested positive. More than 7,000 pigs at nearby farms tested negative for the disease and the outbreak was the first in over 12 years.

The government added that hog cholera only attacks hogs and does not affect humans or any other animals. A more thorough inspection would also be done over the weekend.