First ASF Virus Detected in Chuncheon... 727 Cases Nationwide

Ministry of Environment "Strengthening Search and Capture, Fence Inspection"

A scene of quarantine measures being taken to prevent the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus from entering livestock farms due to heavy rainfall. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Ministry of Environment announced on the 27th that the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus was detected on the 26th in one wild boar carcass found within the wide-area fence in Otan-ri, Sabuk-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do. This is the first time the ASF virus has been detected in Chuncheon-si.

As of 6 p.m. the previous day, a total of 727 cases of ASF virus had been detected nationwide. From the 19th to the 26th, 16 additional ASF cases were confirmed in Hwacheon-gun, Cheorwon-gun, Yanggu-gun, Inje-gun, Chuncheon-si in Gangwon-do, and Yeoncheon-gun in Gyeonggi-do.

During this period, the National Institute of Environmental Research under the Ministry of Environment tested 156 wild boar samples, including 40 carcass samples and 116 captured individual samples.

Source=Ministry of Environment

The newly confirmed positive individual is located about 7 km in a straight line from Yongdam-ri, Sanae-myeon, Hwacheon-gun, where a positive case was confirmed on the 17th of last month, and from the Woncheon-ri point confirmed positive on the 12th. Approximately 7 km to the south, a wide-area fence section is installed in the Hwaaksan area.

Chuncheon-si collected samples and buried the carcass on-site after disinfection, following the wild boar ASF standard action guidelines.

The Ministry of Environment estimates that the ASF virus spread from the northern areas of Duryusan and Janggunsan. This is because there are many residential areas and farmlands around the fence sections in this region.

They plan to conduct detailed investigations of the specific transmission routes through searches for carcasses and environmental surveys around the discovery site.

Source: Ministry of Environment

The Ministry of Environment will implement strengthened quarantine measures to prevent the spread to areas surrounding Chuncheon-si.

First, to block the movement of infected wild boars, they will immediately inspect the existing wide-area fence for damage and check the opening and closing status of gates. Vulnerable sections will be reinforced immediately upon discovery.

Fifteen personnel will be deployed for intensive searches in five villages (ri) in Sabuk-myeon, Chuncheon-si, and in Owol-ri, Chuncheon-si, and Hwaik-ri, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, which are outside the wide-area fence.

At locations near the outbreak site such as bridges and gates where spread is a concern, 22 capture cages and 100 capture traps will be installed intensively. Eight dedicated managers will be assigned to steadily reduce the population.

To prevent the virus from spreading via vehicles or people, the Ministry will manage the history using GPS information from hunters active in Sanae-myeon, Hwacheon-gun, and Sabuk-myeon, Chuncheon-si. Quarantine management will be strengthened by inspecting the disinfection status of capture tools.

Source=Ministry of Environment

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will impose movement restrictions and conduct detailed inspections on one newly added pig farm within a 10 km radius of the Chuncheon outbreak site. Daily phone monitoring will be conducted, and roads and entrances around the farm will be disinfected.

Disinfection will continue for vehicles and personnel entering the access roads of pig farms in border areas such as quarantine zones and surrounding roads.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment is inspecting fence damage caused by heavy rains and Typhoon Bavi and is urgently repairing damaged sections.

Of the 16.3 km of damage to the secondary fence, 98.1% has been repaired. Of the 4.2 km of damage to the wide-area fence, 97% has been restored. The remaining sections are minefields and flooded areas and will be repaired sequentially.

An official from the Ministry of Environment urged, "Do not approach wild boar carcasses when found, promptly report to local governments, and refrain from entering nearby mountain areas and inside fences in outbreak regions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.