South Korea enacts containment measures after 6th case of African swine fever

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - Nationwide containment measures were enhanced in South Korea after authorities confirmed the sixth case of African swine fever this year.

The latest case was discovered at a pig farm in Boryeong, about 138 kilometers (85.7 miles) south of Seoul, which houses approximately 3,500 pigs, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs told Seoul-based news agency Yonhap.

All pig farms and related facilities in and around Boryeong have been placed under a standstill order until Wednesday evening. The affected pigs are planned to be culled.

South Korea’s first case this year was reported last month in the eastern city of Gangneung, following a two-month gap.

African swine fever is harmless to humans but highly contagious and often fatal to pigs and wild boar. At present, there is no vaccine or cure for the disease.