South Korea Raises Red Alert as African Swine Fever Spreads to Major Pig-Farming Region

South Korea has sounded the alarm after confirming its sixth case of African swine fever this year, prompting authorities to tighten nationwide biosecurity measures. The latest outbreak was discovered on a pig farm in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, where 463 pigs were being raised, marking a worrying expansion of the disease beyond previously affected areas.

Source: CNN

Officials swiftly issued the highest-level red alert as teams moved in to contain the spread. A total of 1,423 pigs from the infected farm and nearby facilities owned by the same farmer have been culled, and a 48-hour standstill order has been placed on pig farms and related operations across the country. Disinfection efforts are underway throughout Dangjin and surrounding regions, alongside emergency checks on neighboring farms.

Authorities warn the situation has become more alarming, as earlier cases were confined to northern Gyeonggi Province. The spread to South Chungcheong—home to the country’s largest swine farming capacity—raises the risk of a nationwide outbreak. The agriculture ministry says all available resources are being deployed to halt further transmission and keep the virus from gaining a stronger foothold.