In the first three months of 2026, South Korea culled more than 148,000 pigs at 24 farms and destroyed nearly 500 tons of feed suspected of being contaminated, as the situation regarding African Swine Fever (ASF) prevention and control remains severe.
The outbreak is concentrated primarily in the northeast but has spread to other provinces. At least four infected farms have herds totaling 20,000 head, leading to a sharp increase in culled animals. So far this year, 1,022 wild boars have been infected, all in the northeast.
The situation has taken a sharp turn for the worse. From the outbreak in 2019 through early 2026, a total of 55 farms in South Korea were infected. While there were only six cases in all of 2025, 24 new cases were reported in the first three months of 2026 alone. According to data from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), a total of 255,000 animals had been culled as of early February, and the total is expected to exceed 300,000 shortly.
Epidemiological investigations point to feed contamination: the virus has been detected in feed ingredients containing porcine plasma protein, raising suspicions that blood from infected pigs was mixed into the production process. Authorities have recalled the affected products and are conducting daily blood tests at 64 slaughterhouses nationwide.
The South Korean government has launched a nationwide inspection of farms and strengthened quarantine measures. Loopholes in feed safety have sounded a biosecurity alarm for the global swine industry.
Disclaimer: Some of the information in this article is sourced from the internet. The sources have been clearly cited, and all copyrights belong to the original authors. The content is provided for readers’ reference only. If you believe your rights have been infringed, please contact us promptly via the comments section so we may remove the content.
The outbreak is concentrated primarily in the northeast but has spread to other provinces. At least four infected farms have herds totaling 20,000 head, leading to a sharp increase in culled animals. So far this year, 1,022 wild boars have been infected, all in the northeast.
The situation has taken a sharp turn for the worse. From the outbreak in 2019 through early 2026, a total of 55 farms in South Korea were infected. While there were only six cases in all of 2025, 24 new cases were reported in the first three months of 2026 alone. According to data from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), a total of 255,000 animals had been culled as of early February, and the total is expected to exceed 300,000 shortly.
Epidemiological investigations point to feed contamination: the virus has been detected in feed ingredients containing porcine plasma protein, raising suspicions that blood from infected pigs was mixed into the production process. Authorities have recalled the affected products and are conducting daily blood tests at 64 slaughterhouses nationwide.
The South Korean government has launched a nationwide inspection of farms and strengthened quarantine measures. Loopholes in feed safety have sounded a biosecurity alarm for the global swine industry.
Disclaimer: Some of the information in this article is sourced from the internet. The sources have been clearly cited, and all copyrights belong to the original authors. The content is provided for readers’ reference only. If you believe your rights have been infringed, please contact us promptly via the comments section so we may remove the content.