September 3, 2024
South Korea intensifies ASF disinfection measures following outbreak in Gyeonggi province
The South Korean government announced that it has intensified disinfection efforts and inspections following a confirmed outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) at a swine farm in Gimpo, Gyeonggi province, Yonhap reported.
The measures are aimed at preventing the disease from spreading as the nation prepares for the upcoming Chuseok holiday.
In response to the outbreak, the country's Central Disaster Management Headquarters convened an emergency meeting to review and implement preventive measures, particularly with Chuseok just two weeks away.
This outbreak is the eighth ASF case in the country this year. The previous case was detected on August 12, 2024, at a swine farm in Yeongcheon, located 246 km southeast of Seoul.
Authorities are currently investigating the affected farm and have put emergency quarantine measures in place to prevent the disease from spreading to nearby swine farms. Disinfection operations are being carried out at approximately 400 swine farms in Gimpo and neighbouring cities and counties.
The government has also announced plans to conduct more detailed, clinical inspections when swine are transported from farms in Gyeonggi Province to slaughterhouses and other locations. Vehicles entering and leaving the infected farm are being closely monitored and tested.
Kim Jong-ku, a representative from the agriculture ministry, emphasized the significant risk of further ASF outbreaks, especially in autumn. He urged regional governments to fully engage in disinfection efforts.
Kim also warned that the increased movement of people and vehicles before and during the national holiday could further heighten the risk of spreading the disease.
Despite the outbreak, the ministry noted that the culling at the Gimpo farm accounts for only 0.03% of the country's total pig population, suggesting that the impact on the local pork market will be minimal.
- Yonhap
