"No Safe Zone for ASF"... Government Conducts Joint Special Inspection Targeting 4 Cities and Counties Adjacent to Yeongcheon-si

On the 15th, African Swine Fever (ASF) was confirmed at a pig farm located in Yeongcheon City, prompting special inspections targeting neighboring cities and counties.

The ASF Central Accident Response Headquarters announced that from the 18th to 19th, a 'Government Joint Special Inspection' will be conducted targeting four adjacent cities and counties: Andong City, Uiseong County, Gyeongju City, and Gunwi County.

Since the ASF outbreak in Yeongcheon, the Central Headquarters has completed emergency initial quarantine measures including culling of affected farms, disinfection, and epidemiological investigations. They also enforced a 48-hour temporary movement suspension order from 10 PM on the 15th to 10 PM on the 17th for Daegu City and Gyeongbuk Province, and completed situation monitoring. Farms within the quarantine zone and those epidemiologically related are undergoing clinical and detailed inspections, while pig farms and livestock facilities are being intensively disinfected to prevent further spread.

(Photo for reference)

This inspection is a rapid joint inspection of the cities and counties adjacent to the outbreak area, which are at high risk of additional cases. Inspection teams (two teams with six members) have been formed jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to conduct inspections in the four adjacent cities and counties of Yeongcheon.

The inspection teams will thoroughly check the quarantine management status such as surveillance, inspection, and disinfection support for pig farms in the respective cities and counties, operation of key disinfection facilities, installation and operation of quarantine and disinfection facilities at farms, compliance with quarantine rules, and other biosecurity measures. They will also carefully inspect drainage installation and maintenance, as well as internal and external fencing, in preparation for heavy rains during the monsoon season. Any deficiencies will be immediately corrected and supplemented, and farms violating regulations will face strict administrative measures.

An official from the Central Headquarters stated, "ASF, which had mainly occurred in border areas such as Cheorwon County in Gangwon Province recently, has now reached pig farms in Yeongcheon, Gyeongbuk, creating an urgent situation. Strengthened inspections and heightened awareness for pig farms are necessary for rigorous quarantine management." He added, "There is no longer any safe zone free from ASF. Pig farms must maintain vigilance, thoroughly implement disinfection and basic quarantine rules, and immediately report any suspicious symptoms to quarantine authorities."

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