Gyeongsangnam-do will implement drone-based quarantine measures for three weeks from the 10th to the 28th of this month to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever.
The provincial government announced that, as the spring migration season for wild boars approaches, it will conduct quarantine measures targeting pig farms and densely populated pig farming complexes in border areas of the province that are at risk of African Swine Fever outbreaks.
About 33% of annual wild boar African Swine Fever infections occur between March and April, and with recent outbreaks moving south and spreading around the Gyeongbuk region, the province made this decision in consideration of the increased risk of the virus entering the area.
Gyeongnam Province has launched drone disinfection efforts to prevent the spread of African swine fever within the province. Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government
Accordingly, the province will deploy three drones for quarantine operations.
Repellents for wild animals will be sprayed on the outer fences and expected approach routes of wild boars around 18 pig farms in seven cities and counties?Changwon, Gimhae, Miryang, Yangsan, Changnyeong, Geochang, and Hapcheon?which border Gyeongbuk and Busan and are at high risk of wild boar intrusion.
Drone-based quarantine support will also be provided to 45 pig farms in densely populated pig farming complexes in Miryang, Goseong, and Hapcheon.
In addition, thermal imaging surveillance drones from the Livestock Sanitation and Quarantine Support Headquarters will be deployed in mountainous border areas adjacent to Gyeongbuk and Busan to search for wild boars, collect data on their movement routes, and provide relevant information to environmental authorities, thereby assisting in wild boar capture efforts.
Previously, from February 10 to 28, Gyeongsangnam-do inspected quarantine conditions at 18 pig farms in border areas for three weeks, issuing one administrative penalty and ordering on-site corrections at ten farms found to have deficiencies.
Jung Changgeun, head of the Animal Quarantine Division, stated, "With increased wild boar activity in the spring, there is concern about the introduction of the African Swine Fever virus into farms by infected wild boars. We urge pig farmers to regularly inspect their quarantine facilities and strictly adhere to basic quarantine protocols such as changing boots and disinfecting both inside and outside the farms."
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