(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Sin Seon-mi = The Central Headquarters for the Containment of African Swine Fever (ASF) announced on the 8th that it will implement preventive measures in preparation for the Lunar New Year holiday as ASF has been occurring consecutively in domestic farms ahead of the holiday. Given the high possibility of the virus being introduced to farms through the movement of people and vehicles around the Lunar New Year holiday, the days of 13-14 and 19-20 have been designated as 'National Intensive Disinfection Days' to disinfect livestock-related facilities and vehicles. Additionally, to detect ASF-infected animals early, samples from pig farm workers' belongings and the environment will be tested, and telephone checks of pig farms will be strengthened. Furthermore, the public will be advised to refrain from visiting pig farms, to prohibit the illegal import of livestock products, and to disinfect upon entering and exiting farms, among other preventive measures, through text messages, banners, and electronic billboards. Farm workers will be advised to refrain from gatherings and events, and to disinfect before and after entering and exiting the farm. The Central Headquarters will also maintain a joint situation monitoring system with related agencies during the Lunar New Year holiday period and strengthen the emergency response system to ensure rapid initial response if suspected animals are reported. From the 16th of last month until today, a total of 9 cases of ASF have been confirmed in farms across the nation. Last year, 6 cases occurred annually, but this year, the number of cases in one month is higher than last year. Upon confirming the occurrence of ASF in a farm in Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province, the Central Headquarters is currently culling 1,194 pigs from the farm to prevent further spread, and is conducting disinfection and epidemiological investigations. In addition to Hwaseong City, 248 pig farms in adjacent counties are being disinfected, and 24 farms within a 10 km radius of the outbreak farm and 58 farms with epidemiological connections are being thoroughly inspected. The Central Headquarters stated that the number of pigs culled due to this ASF outbreak is less than 0.01% of the total number of pigs raised, and the impact on domestic pork supply is minimal, but due to the Lunar New Year peak season, the supply situation will be closely monitored and livestock supply management will be carried out.