[Asia Economy Reporter Bu Aeri] African swine fever has occurred at a pig farm in Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon Province.
With African swine fever reoccurring in farmed pigs after one year, livestock quarantine authorities and pig farmers are on high alert.
Kim Hyun-soo, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and head of the African Swine Fever Central Accident Response Headquarters (CARH), held an emergency briefing on the 9th and announced that African swine fever had additionally occurred at a pig farm in Sangseo-myeon, Hwacheon-gun the previous day.
According to CARH, while monitoring a slaughterhouse located in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon Province, it was confirmed that 3 out of 8 sows shipped from the Hwacheon-gun pig farm had died. Samples from the sows were collected and subjected to detailed analysis at the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, which confirmed African swine fever.
The Hwacheon-gun pig farm in question is currently raising 940 pigs.
CARH issued a temporary movement suspension order for 48 hours from 5 a.m. on the same day until 5 a.m. on the 11th, covering pig farms, slaughterhouses, feed factories, and entry vehicles in Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces.
Additionally, all pigs at the affected farm and 2 pig farms within a 10 km radius, totaling 2,465 pigs including 1,525 farmed pigs, will be culled.
African swine fever first occurred in farmed pigs on September 16 last year, and the last outbreak was on October 9 of the same year, 23 days later.
The previously affected areas were Paju, Yeoncheon, Gimpo, and Ganghwa, and although there had been cases of wild boar infections in Hwacheon, this is the first case in farmed pigs. However, among the total 758 cases of African swine fever in wild boars, Hwacheon accounted for the largest share at 38.3%, or 290 cases.
Minister Kim stated, "At today's African swine fever situation review meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, it was decided to further strengthen quarantine measures to prevent additional outbreaks."
First, all available wide-area disinfecting machines and disinfection vehicles will be mobilized to intensively disinfect roads, rivers, and livestock facilities near areas where African swine fever has recently occurred in wild boars.
For the remaining 12 pig farms in Hwacheon-gun, measures such as suspension of pig movement, prohibition of manure removal, and designation and operation of dedicated feed vehicles have been implemented.
Furthermore, all 395 pig farms in the border areas of Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces will undergo thorough inspections and daily telephone monitoring.
The restocking procedures for pigs at 261 pig farms in Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces that had been undergoing culling and purchase since this month will be temporarily suspended.
Minister Kim emphasized, "Pig farms and livestock-related facilities must meticulously carry out internal and external disinfection, establish hydrated lime belts, and strictly adhere to basic quarantine rules such as hand washing and changing boots. In particular, if African swine fever is suspected, please report immediately to the Quarantine Agency and local governments."
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