Dead Boars in DMZ Blamed for African Swine Fever

Health authorities believe they have traced the source of the rapidly spreading African swine fever outbreak here to wild boars from North Korea.

A ruling party lawmaker said Wednesday, "A large number of carcasses of wild boars apparently killed by ASF have been spotted in the DMZ. Many wild boars that roam across the border are being shot by soldiers, but that is not enough" to prevent them from spreading the disease.

The government speculates that the disease is spread from the carcasses by maggots that grow into flies, while other insects and birds that came into contact with the carcasses could also be transmitting the virus.

Another possible route of transmission is by live boars crossing the border.

The National Intelligence Service recently told lawmakers that the domestic pig population in North Korea has been "decimated" by the virus. The first case in the North was reported in May.

In South Korea, the deadly disease has spread as far as the environs of Seoul.