No Additional ASF Cases... All 115 Pig Farms Sampled Test Negative

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] As the government is significantly strengthening quarantine measures to prevent the re-spread of African Swine Fever (ASF), no new confirmed cases have been found among pig farms subject to detailed testing after sample collection.

According to the ASF Central Accident Response Headquarters on the 19th, the '2nd detailed and clinical inspection' is being conducted on 397 pig farms in border areas from the 16th to the 26th, and among the 129 pig farms subject to detailed testing where samples have been collected so far, 115 farms have all been confirmed 'negative.' The remaining farms are currently under examination. In the telephone surveillance conducted on the 18th for 1,245 pig farms in Gyeonggi and Gangwon regions, no abnormalities such as suspected ASF cases were found.

Kim Hyun-soo, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated at the ASF quarantine situation meeting held daily since the 8th that on the 18th, "In addition to border areas, high-density pig farming regions* must also implement intensive quarantine measures to block further outbreaks," and urged, "Local governments should establish special quarantine measures tailored to regional characteristics to thoroughly prevent additional ASF outbreaks."

Regarding Avian Influenza (AI), he emphasized, "Strict guidance and management must be enforced on violating vehicles that entered livestock vehicle control zones near migratory bird habitats," adding, "Especially duck farms must install and operate compartmentalized passageways during compartmentalization, and thorough disinfection must be conducted on vehicles carrying rice hulls with high contamination risk and on sprayers."