Yecheon County - Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has directed officials to implement emergency actions following the confirmation of additional African swine fever (ASF) cases at a pig farm in Yecheon County, located 161 kilometers southeast of Seoul. This recent outbreak marks the sixth case of the virus this year. African swine fever is lethal to pigs but poses no threat to human health.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Han's instructions include the culling of affected livestock, a temporary standstill order, and comprehensive epidemiological analysis. A standstill order has been applied to Yecheon and six adjacent counties and cities, such as Andong and Yeongju, effective until 6 a.m. Monday. Officials are set to conduct further epidemiological studies, cull the infected pigs, and undertake thorough disinfection of the affected site and surrounding areas.
The agriculture ministry has assured that the culling process will not significantly affect the local pork supply. The farm involved in the outbreak houses only 0.008 percent of the nation’s total pig population.