IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Republic of Korea

More confirmed cases of African swine fever

The Republic of Korea on Wednesday reported two more confirmed cases of African swine fever, a viral animal disease that had no cure nor vaccines found yet. Both cases were found at pig farms in the northwestern border city of Paju, Gyeonggi Province, where the first case in the country was spotted on Sept 17, according to the Agriculture Ministry. With the two more confirmed cases, the total number of outbreaks increased to 11 in just two weeks. All the confirmed cases were found in areas near the border with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Other suspected cases in areas south of the capital Seoul tested negative. The quarantine authorities issued a standstill order early on Wednesday to place the western Gyeonggi and the eastern Gangwon provinces on lockdown.