South Korea: Rising fears as tests confirm more swine fever cases

According to reports, lab tests on September 24 confirmed fifth reported case since last week of swine fever from a farm in Ganghwa. It is an island which shares its border with rth Korea. South Korea has reportedly boosted its efforts of disinfecting farms around country as it scrambles to contain to spre of highly contagious African swine fever. virus is said to have alrey devastated farms near its border with rth Korea. recent positive cases of this fever have raised fears in country of more swine fever and losing battle to halt spre of illness. Swine fever has previously been kwn to wipe huge populations across Asia. 

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Suspected cases

Officials are currently investigating suspected case at ar farm in Ganghwa, where two pigs died while ar h a miscarri. According to South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, hundreds of officials have been posted for inspection of cleaning process at big pig farms, slaughterhouses, and feed mills around country. However, it all came to a stop for 48 hours on orders by government.

Government workers in lab coats and masks guarded roblocks near farms in border areas where huge pits were dug for burying and killing of thousands of infected pigs. gates, along with entrances and grounds of many farms were covered with a disinfectant, calcium oxide. 

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African swine fever

Even though African swine fever is harmless to people, it would be very difficult to contain if it spre from farms to densely populated areas. re's cure yet found for this illness which is fatal for pigs. Approximately 22,000 pigs have been slaughtered last week since first outbreak in border towns of Paju and Yeoncheon. Officials have t yet identified infection route.

As South Korean diets largely constitute of pork,  outbreak has raised concerns about affecting industry with nearly 6,300 farms which are currently raising 11 million pigs. Before reaching Korean countries, swine fever h infected farms in China and or Asian countries. 

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(With inputs from AP)