[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province will operate a wild boar capture team from the 8th of next month until the end of June to prevent the spread of the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus.
The capture team will recruit and operate up to 400 members, engaging in activities such as wild boar firearm capture, disposal of boar carcasses, and disinfection of burial sites.
The capture areas include five cities/counties: Yangju, Dongducheon, Pocheon, Gapyeong, and Namyangju.
The capture areas and operation period may change depending on the ASF outbreak situation.
The province plans to temporarily operate the capture team during April to June, when wild boars give birth, to reduce the population.
Those who wish to participate in the capture team can apply by mail, email, or through the environmental departments of the cities/counties or the provincial environmental policy department by the 1st of next month.
The number of ASF cases in wild boars nationwide reached 570 as of the 26th, more than ten times last year's 55 cases.
Among these, 317 cases occurred in Gyeonggi Province alone, accounting for more than 55% of the total.
By region, Yeoncheon reported 219 cases, Paju 96 cases, and Pocheon 2 cases.
ASF, a pig infectious disease with a 100% mortality rate, first occurred domestically in September last year at a farm near the border in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.
Since then, 31 cities/counties in Gyeonggi Province have operated capture teams, capturing or collecting carcasses of approximately 12,400 wild boars to date.
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