Korea reports 15th African swine fever case this season

Korea on Saturday confirmed the 15th case of African swine fever (ASF) this season, prompting quarantine authorities to step up efforts to prevent further infections during the five-day Lunar New Year holiday.

Quarantine officials conduct disinfection to prevent the spread of African swine fever at a field in Wonju, Gangwon, on Feb. 10. [YONHAP]

Korea on Saturday confirmed the 15th case of African swine fever (ASF) this season, prompting quarantine authorities to step up efforts to prevent further infections during the five-day Lunar New Year holiday.

The new case was reported at a pig farm in the county of Changnyeong, South Gyeongsang, according to the central disaster management headquarters for ASF.

Authorities dispatched quarantine officials to the affected farm to conduct an epidemiological investigation and restricted access to the site. All pigs at the farm will be culled to prevent further spread.

They urged owners and employees of pig farms and butcheries to fully comply with quarantine and standstill guidelines to curb the spread of the animal disease.