South Korea tightens quarantine after African swine fever found in Chinese foods

[August 27, 2018]  SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's agriculture ministry said on Monday it has ramped up quarantine measures at airports after African swine fever (ASF) was detected in Chinese foods brought by a South Korean traveler.

The ministry said in a statement the South Korean traveler brought in processed pork products from China and reported them to authorities; however, the possibility of spreading is low because the foods were heat-treated.

After ASF was found in China in early August, South Koreatightened quarantine operations at airports, and will nowincrease disinfection and quarantine checks, including oftravelers' baggage, to prevent the virus from spreading to thecountry

The ministry also asked livestock farmers to avoid visiting ASF-hit countries.

 South Korea does not import pork products or live pigsfrom China due to its history of foot-and-mouth diseaseoutbreaks

(Reporting By Jane Chung; Editing by Tom Hogue)

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