July 3, 2024

South Korea reports fifth ASF case of the year

South Korea reported its fifth case of African swine fever (ASF) of the year at a farm in Andong, located about 190 km southeast of Seoul in North Gyeongsang province, Yonhap News Agency reported.

This is the first ASF case since June 15, 2024, when another case was reported in the North Gyeongsang town of Yeongcheon.

The owner of the Andong farm contacted quarantine authorities after several of his approximately 190 swine died. Officials then confirmed ASF and issued a 24-hour standstill order for swine farms and related facilities in Andong and its neighbouring cities and counties.

Quarantine officials plan to disinfect 181 other swine farms in and around Andong. A vehicle that delivered swine from the affected farm to the local slaughterhouse also visited 272 other swine farms, and officials will run clinical tests at those locations as well.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo ordered emergency quarantine efforts to contain ASF and asked all relevant ministries and regional authorities to cooperate with these measures.

The farm ministry said only a small number of swine will be culled following the latest ASF case and it won't have much of an impact on the domestic pork market.

-      Yonhap News Agency