Seoul: South Korea has confirmed 24 cases of African swine fever (ASF) as of this week in 2026, according to the agriculture ministry. The ministry has pledged to take necessary actions to prevent further spread of the contagious animal disease.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the cases were reported across seven provinces, including Gyeonggi, Gangwon, South Chungcheong, South Jeolla, and South Gyeongsang, between January 16 and March 16, as per the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. No new cases have been detected since mid-March.
Of the reported cases, three were linked to strains previously identified in domestic outbreaks. The remaining 21 cases were attributed to strains originating from outside the country. ASF genes were also found in six undeclared illegal livestock products, suggesting external sources of contamination. Additionally, three ASF cases at pig farms in the northern cities of Pocheon and Yeoncheon were traced back to transmission from wild boars.
With no further outbreaks in the past two months, the ministry has lifted standstill orders on related facilities in affected regions as of April 22. However, a warning alert remains in place for 32 cities and counties considered at higher risk of additional cases.