Government: "ASF, Possibility of Nationwide Spread"... Emergency Quarantine Measures

Kim In-jung, Deputy Minister for Policy Coordination at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, is briefing on the progress of high pathogenic avian influenza (AI) and African swine fever (ASF) prevention measures at the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong City on the morning of the 19th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Son Seon-hee] The government announced on the 21st that it will implement emergency quarantine measures in Boeun, Sangju, and Uljin, areas where African Swine Fever (ASF) has been detected in wild boars. Since there is a possibility of nationwide spread, it plans to promote the installation of enhanced quarantine facilities at pig farms across the country.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on the same day, ASF has occurred in a total of 2,167 cases across 27 cities and counties nationwide (as of February 20). While it was mainly concentrated in the Chungbuk region such as Jecheon and Danyang, it has recently spread to Sangju and Uljin in Gyeongbuk. If it spreads further south, it could extend to Jeonbuk or Gyeongnam.

The ministry stated, "Looking at past cases, there have been instances where the disease spread long distances from the original outbreak areas, so not only the affected and adjacent cities and counties but also distant areas cannot be considered safe," adding, "After March, with increased farming activities and hikers, the possibility of contamination entering farms rises, so pig farms nationwide must remain vigilant and thoroughly prepare in advance."

Since the 28th of last month, the Ministry has sequentially issued 'ASF Risk Warnings' to Boeun, Sangju, Uljin, and 15 adjacent cities and counties. Additionally, detailed inspections were conducted on 66 pig farms within Boeun, Sangju, and Uljin, all of which tested negative. Emergency inspections are being carried out at pig farms in the risk areas, and nearby farm checkpoints have been established to control and disinfect incoming vehicles and people.

Regarding this, on-site quarantine inspections are being conducted at 5,485 pig farms nationwide, and important quarantine facilities such as fences, anterooms, and disinfection rooms are being installed. The goal is to complete this by April, and to encourage early installation, a total of 14.4 billion KRW in funds, increased from last year, will be provided. Incentives such as increased compensation for culling will be given to farms that complete the installations.

Meanwhile, since November 8 of last year, there have been a total of 44 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI), a 56% decrease compared to the same period last year. However, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is dispatching special quarantine teams to focus inspections mainly in regions such as Gyeonggi, Chungcheong, and Jeonbuk, where AI has recently occurred, as concerns about the spread of contamination remain until the northward migration of winter migratory birds is completed in March.

Kim In-jung, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, "Unlike highly pathogenic AI, which is affected by migratory birds, ASF remains a serious situation throughout the year regardless of the season," and added, "Especially since the spread of ASF in wild boars is severe and there is a possibility of nationwide spread, all pig farms across the country must equip enhanced quarantine facilities and comply with quarantine rules."

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