Seoul, the first case of swine fever on the border with the North was discovered: alarm throughout the country

There is no vaccine or cure for the animal disease. The authorities have ordered the suppression of about 4 thousand pigs as a precaution. The epidemic originated in China and has spread to neighboring countries: Mongolia and Vietnam among the most affected.

Seoul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - As of this morning South Korea is on alert to prevent the spread of African swine fever (ASF): the first case of illness - for which there are no vaccines or treatments - has been confirmed close to border with North Korea. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of Seoul announces that it has begun to suppress approximately 4 thousand pigs as a precautionary measure. Minister Kim Hyeon-soo declares that officials are ready to complete the slaughter of livestock on three farms, including the one in which the disease was detected, today - in Paju, just south of the inter-Korean border.

The ministry provision comes hours after the authorities confirmed the case of the highly contagious virus on the farm, where five pigs died on Monday. The other two farms affected by the measure are about 20 kilometers away. South Korea has launched an epidemiological investigation to try to determine the exact cause of the highly contagious outbreak of the virus, reports Kim. Seoul will disinfect around 6,300 pig farms throughout the country and monitor the health of the animals.

The first case confirmed in South Korea came to light four months after Pyongyang told the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) that it had discovered the virus on a farm near the border with China. The epidemic originated on the farms of the Asian giant in August last year. The disease then spread to neighboring countries, including Mongolia and Vietnam.