October 15, 2024

South Korea reports ninth ASF case in 2024, over 3,500 swine to be culled

South Korea has confirmed its ninth case of African swine fever (ASF) this year, officials announced, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The latest outbreak was detected at a swine farm in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, located about 88 km northeast of Seoul. South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture stated that over 3,500 swine at the farm will be culled as a preventive measure.

The previous case of ASF in South Korea was identified at a local swine farm in late August.

Authorities are currently investigating the farm and have introduced emergency quarantine protocols to prevent the spread of the virus to nearby swine farms. Disinfection operations will be carried out at 233 swine farms across Hwacheon and neighbouring cities and counties, the ministry confirmed.

Despite the culling operation, the ministry assured that the swine being slaughtered represent only 0.03 percent of the country's total swine population, which should have a minimal impact on the domestic pork market.

-      Yonhap News Agency