S. Korea to consider reopening ASF-hit pig farms after summer

By Kang Yoon-seung

SEOUL, July 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korea said Monday it will consider reopening pig farms struck with the African swine fever (ASF) last year after the summer season, although the country needs to remain vigilant over the spread of the disease by wild boars.

ASF swept through pig farms in the inter-Korean border area last year, prompting South Korea to cull about 400,000 pigs as part of preventive measures.

South Korea confirmed its first-ever outbreak of the animal disease in September 2019, but no new cases from local farms have been reported since October.

Farms in the affected areas have been banned from resuming their operations.

"We will begin the process by gathering opinions from experts after August, as farms are still prone to be infected with viruses over the summer," the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs said in a statement.

The country has been reluctant to give the go-ahead on the operation of pig farms in the area amid rising concerns over possible virus transmission from wild boars to domestic pigs.

The accumulated number of cases reported from them reached 677 as of last week.

The ministry said the ASF is likely to continue spreading among wild boars for the time being, as their numbers also have increased recently.

The animal disease does not affect humans but is deadly to pigs. There is currently no vaccine, nor cure for the disease. The virus spreads through direct contact with infected animals or their remains.

colin@yna.co.kr
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