Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Minister Gae-ho Lee) announced the results of the emergency quarantine measures in border areas and 'Strengthened African Swine Fever (ASF) Response Measures' that has been discussed at the agenda adjustment meeting (June 5, 2019) presided over by Prime Minister Nak-yeon Lee since North Korea's official report (May 30, 2019) of the ASF case to the OIE.
1. Result of Emergency Quarantine Measures in Border Areas
The results from the emergency quarantine measures taken on May 31 through June 4 are as follows.
All hog farms negative on the serological test for ASF
The 'serological test', which was originally due by June 7, was completed on June 4.
ㅇ All of the 342 farms showed negative results except for 5 farms that were temporarily closed.
According to the results of inspection on 347 farms* from 143 inspectors in 70 groups (dispatched by MAFRA, APQA and local governments, teams of 2), all farms are free of suspected symptoms of ASF.
Completed Monitoring of Field Quarantine Measures
Considering the risk of spread of ASF from wild boars, 4 pasture farms in border areas (168 heads) were prohibited to put pigs on pasture.
ㅇ After prohibition of pasturing, it has been confirmed that the pigs are bred in pigsties.
Fences were installed in 232 out of 347 farms (67%), and 115 farms that failed to properly install fences were guided to promptly install and supplement the fences.
After installation of base disinfection facilities (10 facilities) and control stations (10 stations) by today (June 5), livestock related vehicles travelling to 10 border cities and counties will be disinfected.
Strengthening Promotion & Surveillance
Daily Surveillance by phone* was performed on 347 farms during June 1 - 4, and necessary matters of quarantine measures were delivered via text message to farms that do not answer.
* Regular inspection and repair of fences and removal of residues around farms, etc.
ㅇ Livestock quarantine officers visited 7 farms that did not answer for 3 consecutive days to surveillance by phone.
MAFRA announced that it "completed building the initial defense line on the border areas" and that "quarantine measures in 10 border cities and counties are completed and serological test results were all negative".
2. Outcomes of the Agenda Adjustment Meeting on 'Strengthening ASF Response Measures'
MAFRA announced the outcome of the 'Strengthening ASF Response' measures discussed at the National Agenda Inspection & Adjustment Meeting presided over by the Prime Minister on June 5.
Strengthening Joint Response System of Relevant Ministries & Local Governments
For whole-government efforts, MAFRA and relevant Ministries have promoted the director of 'Consultative Group of Relevant Ministries' to Deputy Minister of MAFRA.
ㅇ A cooperative system will be established in each 4 area such as ① border quarantine, ② crack down on illegal livestock goods, ③ control of feeding leftover food, and ④ wild boar control.
ㅇ And an emergency contact system among agencies was established to immediately convene and take response in the event of outbreak of ASF.
To share progress on quarantine measures and to instantly resolve difficulties on site, joint video conferences are held daily between relevant Ministries and local governments.
ㅇ Situation rooms were installed in Incheon, Gyeonggi, Gangwon-do, and 10 border cities and counties.
Strengthening Quarantine in Border Areas
Farms in border areas and local governments jointly perform virtual quarantine training (CPX) in June, check as to whether quarantine items, stamping-out manpower and military-police quarantine manpower & equipment can be provided, and identify areas needed to be improved and take action to improve the areas.
Also, the phone number of the call center for ASF cases is set as a shortcut key (or a favorite) in mobile phones of livestock farmers and village leaders in affected-areas to enable prompt reporting of an ASF case.
Supplementary Measures for Border and Domestic Quarantine
Additional fences will be installed, 115 in 10 border cities and counties, and 105 in border cities and provinces (Incheon, Gyeonggi and Gangwon).
ㅇ In addition to 454 traps already installed, 514 traps will be secured and installed nationwide.
Simultaneous inspection and disinfection will be carried out in 6,300 hog farms across the nation (week starting from June 10), and 46 nationwide base disinfection facilities will be simultaneously operated (from June) to strengthen disinfection of livestock related vehicles.
ㅇ Inspectors responsible for farms (2,730 officials) will visit farms to check ASF suspected symptoms, as to whether fences are built, and their deterioration status,
ㅇ All farms in and out will be disinfected each week and quicklime will be sprayed on farm access roads in vulnerable farms such as those that feed leftover food.
The Office for Government Policy Coordination and MAFRA will jointly inspect goods subject to quarantine in local international airports and sea ports (7 airports and 4 sea ports) and ASF related promotional sites to strengthen control of quarantine sites.
ㅇ Special promotion activities will be carried out in the connecting bridge to the arrival hall by circulating leaflets on imposition of penalties for illegal importation of livestock goods to travelers from affected countries.
Byung-seok Oh, the Deputy Minister for Food Industry Policy Office of MAFRA said, "We will continuously keep a keen eye on performance and results so that we make satisfactory progress on-site preventive measures", and "Through video conferences, we will meticulously inspect the quarantine situation and take prompt response to new quarantine situations in preparation for further spread of ASF in North Korea.”