SEOUL, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- An outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) has been confirmed at a pig farm in Gangneung, a city in South Korea's Gangwon province, Yonhap News Agency reported Saturday.
Local authorities said Saturday that about 20,000 pigs raised at the farm will be culled in accordance with quarantine regulations.
The report said local animal health authorities began testing after the farm owner reported pig deaths on Friday. The results, confirmed at around 1 a.m. local time Saturday, showed the pigs had tested positive for ASF. This marks the first ASF case reported in Gangwon province in about 14 months, following the previous outbreak detected in November 2024.
To prevent the spread of the disease, quarantine authorities have dispatched an initial response team and an epidemiological investigation team to the farm. Access to the premises has been restricted, while disinfection and epidemiological investigations are underway.
African swine fever is an acute, highly contagious viral disease affecting pigs, characterized by high fever, severe internal bleeding and a high mortality rate. The disease is not transmissible to humans, but contaminated food, footwear, tools and vehicles can facilitate the spread of the virus. ■
