South Korea is on high alert as African Swine Fever (ASF) cases have more than doubled this year, with 14 confirmed instances as of February 14th, sparking concerns ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.
ASF Surge Prompts Emergency Measures
Quarantine officials are ramping up precautions as livestock diseases spread, particularly focusing on the growing threat of African Swine Fever.
- The number of ASF cases in South Korea has risen sharply, exceeding last year’s total.
- Investigations reveal different genotypes of the ASF virus are circulating, complicating containment efforts.
- Authorities are strengthening biosecurity measures and expanding inspections, especially before and during the Lunar New Year.
- Outbreaks of avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease are also being closely monitored.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the first ASF outbreak this year occurred in Gangneung, Gangwon-do on January 16th. Since then, cases have been confirmed in Gyeonggi (4), South Chungcheong Province (3), Jeonbuk and Jeonnam (2 each), and Gangwon, Gyeongnam, and Gyeongbuk (1 each). Recent outbreaks have been identified at pig farms in Jeongeup, Jeollabuk-do, Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk, and Hongseong, South Chungcheong. This represents the highest level of ASF cases since 2020, already surpassing the six cases recorded throughout all of last year.
Tracing the Spread: Genotyping Reveals Complex Patterns
Analysis by the ASF Central Accident Control Headquarters of virus genes from 10 farms with outbreaks this year revealed a mixed picture. Two farms in Pocheon showed the same genotype (IGR-II) as the virus found in domestic wild boars. However, eight other locations – including Gangneung, Anseong, Yeonggwang, Gochang, Boryeong, Changnyeong, Hwaseong, and Naju – tested positive for a different genotype (IGR-Ⅰ).
The Central Investigation Agency stated that epidemiological links to existing outbreaks were found in three of the eight farms with IGR-I, suggesting spread through vehicles or livestock movement. The remaining five are considered individual outbreaks, with investigations focusing on potential introduction via farm workers or illegally sourced livestock products.
Notably, this year’s outbreaks have disproportionately affected piglets (young pigs), a shift from previous years (2019-2023) when sows (mother pigs) were primarily impacted. All antibody tests from affected farms were negative, and the acute symptoms observed suggest a highly pathogenic strain of ASF.
The possibility of illegal livestock products contributing to the spread was confirmed by a recent crackdown conducted by the Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Quarantine Headquarters and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The investigation of 53 foreign food sales establishments nationwide resulted in the removal of four undeclared processed pork products from one store, with three of those products testing positive for the ASF virus gene.
Authorities are also investigating potential transmission routes through feed, additives, livestock equipment, and groundwater utilizing pig-derived blood as a raw material.
Multiple Threats: AI and Foot-and-Mouth Disease Add to Concerns
Yonhap News
Adding to the challenges, 43 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) have been reported in poultry farms since the first outbreak in Paju, Gyeonggi Province in September. The increasing number of wild birds and AI detections (49 cases) indicates a continued high risk of further outbreaks. Foot-and-mouth disease resurfaced in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon on January 30th, approximately 10 months after cases in Yeongam and Muan, Jeollanam-do in March of last year, with no additional outbreaks reported since.
In response, the ASF, AI, and Foot-and-Mouth Disease Central Accident Control Headquarters is intensifying on-site quarantine measures in anticipation of increased travel and gatherings during the Lunar New Year holiday. The risk of ASF spreading is believed to be heightened in farms with inadequate biosecurity protocols. Last year, one ASF case occurred during the Lunar New Year period, followed by additional cases afterward. Heavy Water Services is maintaining a 24-hour emergency response system throughout the holiday season.
Enhanced Inspections and Surveillance
To curb the spread of ASF, measures to prevent virus introduction – including restrictions on gatherings of pig farm workers (including foreign workers) and intensified farm and slaughterhouse inspections – will remain in effect during the holiday.
A nationwide inspection of dead carcasses at pig farms is being expanded. As of February 13th, inspections were completed at 150 pig farms and 271 specialized breeding farms, with plans to cover approximately 4,800 general pig farms by February 28th. Livestock transport vehicles entering farms will also be subject to inspection.
Surveillance and testing using private inspection agencies will be strengthened. ASF tests are being conducted on 1,000 pigs shipped to 69 pig slaughterhouses nationwide, alongside a regular disease detection surveillance system. Additionally, a special inspection will assess quarantine management practices in 7 cities and counties with ASF outbreaks and 8 cities and counties with large pig farming operations, focusing on biosecurity and disinfection facilities.
For highly pathogenic AI, quarantine measures – including disinfection, access control, inspection, and surveillance – will be reinforced in high-risk areas, large laying hen farms, and related facilities. Roads near migratory bird habitats will be disinfected at least twice daily for two weeks, from February 7th to February 20th.
Clinical inspections will continue in foot-and-mouth disease outbreak areas and epidemiologically-linked farms during the Lunar New Year holiday, supplemented by telephone surveillance of cattle and pig breeding farms nationwide. Booster vaccinations are available for individuals who missed initial vaccinations.
Despite the ongoing livestock infectious disease outbreaks, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs reports that the supply of livestock products – including chicken, eggs, and pork – for the Lunar New Year holiday remains relatively stable.
Park Jeong-hoon, head of the food policy office at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, urged livestock farms across the country to prioritize farm biosecurity and promptly report any suspicious symptoms during the Lunar New Year holiday. He also advised returning travelers to avoid visiting livestock farms and migratory bird habitats to prevent the spread of livestock infectious diseases.
