Korea's first African swine fever case was confirmed in (파주) Paju on September 17th. The African swine fever is a highly contagious swine disease with a fatality rate of 100%.
Local authorities and pig farmers are on the alert to keep the disease at bay.
Todd Thacker reports.

[slug] Korea's first case of African swine fever confirmed

The first case of African swine fever in Korea was confirmed at a pig farm in Paju, Gyeonggi Province on the morning of Sept. 17th.
Five pigs at the farm succumbed to illness and two of them were found to have been infected with the deadly virus.
National authorities and pig farmers are on high alert.

Kim Hyeon-soo / Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
We've raised the animal disease alert to ‘severe’, the highest level, after the first outbreak of deadly African swine fever at a pig farm.
<김현수 농림축산식품부 장관>
"농림축산식품부는 아프리카 돼지열병 양성 판정 즉시 아프리카 돼지열병 위기 경보 단계를 최고 수준인 '심각' 단계로 격상했습니다."


According to officials, some 21 pigs are transported from the mainland to the island everyday.
Fortunately, none have come from (경기) Gyeonggi Province since August.
As the incubation period of ASF is up to 19 days, there is little chance that the virus has made its way to Jeju.
Meanwhile, the province has responded by stepping up preventative measures.

[slug] Transport of pork, pig entrails from mainland banned

A ban on the transport of pork and pig entrails from the mainland was put into effect from the afternoon of the 17th.
This will be lifted when the ASF outbreak is halted.

[slug] Restricted access for pig farms in effect until 6:30 AM on Sept.19
The province has ordered an islandwide restriction of movement for workers at pig farms, their vehicles and goods until 6:30 a.m. on Sept. 19th to curb the spread of the virus.

[slug] Additional disinfection sites to be installed in Aewol, Hallim, Daejeong
Along with the standstill, three additional disinfection posts will be installed to assist with quarantine work near slaughter houses and pig farms.
Local authorities and pig farmers are working together to help keep the disease at bay.


ASF is highly contagious and fatal to swine herds. It occurs among pigs and wild boars. Transmission is by tick bites, secretions from infected pigs and direct contact between animals.
Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, and internal bleeding. Sudden death may occur.
The incubation period for ASF is between four and 19 days.



[slug] Fatality rate 100%, no vaccine developed
ASF doesn't affect humans but is 100% fatal in swine populations.
At present no vaccine exists, making prevention all the more critical.


[Reporter] Todd Thacker
[Camera] Kim Seung-cheol
[CG] Park Hye-jin
[Picture/Video] Courtesy of TV Chosun

In order to keep Jeju free of African swine fever, the province has urged everyone to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspected infections to veterinarians or local animal health officials.
Todd Thacker, KCTV