ISTANBUL

South Korea confirmed three additional cases of African swine fever (ASF), raising the total number of infections this year to 14, local media reported Friday.

New outbreaks were detected at pig farms in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province; Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province; and Hongseong, South Chungcheong Province, Yonhap News said.

The country recorded its first confirmed case of 2026 on Jan. 16.

According to the central disaster management headquarters for ASF, authorities are planning to cull around 10,000 pigs raised on the affected farms to curb further transmission of the disease.

A 48-hour standstill order has been issued for pig farms and related facilities in the impacted and neighboring areas.

Officials will also inspect approximately 4,800 pig farms nationwide by Feb. 28 and have warned that the virus could spread further during the Lunar New Year holiday next week.