Updated ASF situation in South Korea

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs since the first outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in pig farms in Korea in September 2019, outbreaks have spread in wild boar and in pig farms even in the winter whereas outbreaks had previously been concentrated in the spring and autumn seasons when human and material movements and wild boar activities typically increase.

From October 2019 to March 27, 2023, a total of 2,982 cases of ASF in wild boar have been detected in 35 cities and counties in the following provinces: Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Chungbuk, and Gyeongbuk.

A total of 33 cases have been detected on domestic pig farms.

Measures taken to strengthen biosecurity include:

• Prepare and implement detailed quarantine management plans for each season according to seasonal risks.
• Intensively manage areas of concern such as northern Gyeonggi Province and Gangwon Province.
• Strengthen search and capture efforts of wild boars to control the spread.
• Strengthen inspection and quarantine at airports, especially on routes coming from ASF-infected countries.
• Strengthen cooperation between the private and public sectors, academia, and related ministries.

Farmers are urged to immediately report suspected symptoms to the livestock quarantine agency to thoroughly comply with biosecurity practices.