Jeonnam Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory Focuses on Preventing the Spread of African Swine Fever

Operating a 24-Hour Emergency Quarantine System
Plans to Strengthen Monitoring and Thorough Inspections

The Jeollanam-do Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory is operating a quarantine countermeasure situation room to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF). Provided by Jeonnam Province

The Jeollanam-do Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory announced that, following the recent outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) at a pig farm in Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do, it will strengthen monitoring and thorough inspections of pig farms and related facilities, operate a quarantine countermeasure situation room, and maintain an emergency quarantine posture.

This outbreak has significantly increased the risk of interregional spread, making it a critical time for close cooperation to maintain the region's ASF-free status.

The Jeollanam-do Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory plans to expand the scope of thorough inspections at pig farms and livestock facilities in the Jeonnam area, making every effort to prevent possible infections.

This year, Jeonnam Province conducted a total of 7,678 detailed diagnostic tests at 664 sites, including pig farms, livestock-related facilities, and slaughterhouses-particularly those considered vulnerable to quarantine breaches-to detect the African Swine Fever virus early. To date, not a single infected animal has been found in Jeonnam. Since the first domestic outbreak of African Swine Fever, Jeonnam has consistently maintained its ASF-free status without a single confirmed case.

In April of this year, the Jeonnam-do Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory received a "satisfactory" rating in the ASF diagnostic capability assessment conducted by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency. Since being designated as a specialized ASF diagnostic institution in 2021, it has maintained a "satisfactory" rating every year, ensuring a stable and accurate diagnostic system.

Jung Jiyeong, Director of the Jeonnam-do Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory, stated, "The speed of the initial response determines whether African Swine Fever spreads, so pig farmers must strictly observe monitoring and reporting obligations and thoroughly implement quarantine measures. We will maintain a 24-hour emergency testing system and make every effort to prevent African Swine Fever in Jeonnam through swift and accurate diagnostics."

African Swine Fever was first detected at a pig farm in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, in September 2019. As of November this year, there have been a total of 55 cases: 25 in Gyeonggi, 5 in Incheon, 19 in Gangwon, 5 in North Gyeongsang, and 1 in South Chungcheong. Jeonnam remains an ASF-free region with no reported cases to date.