Three Major Livestock Infectious Diseases Spread Simultaneously, Pushing Up South Korean Poultry and Livestock Product Prices

Data released by South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs show that recently, three major infectious diseases—highly pathogenic avian influenza, African swine fever, and foot-and-mouth disease—are spreading simultaneously across the country. This has led to large-scale culling of poultry and livestock, driving up the prices of animal products and raising societal concerns about gaps in the epidemic prevention system. From winter 2025 to 2026, the number of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in South Korea’s poultry farms increased to 57, with over 9.8 million laying hens culled, the highest in nearly five years. Additionally, since the beginning of this year, African swine fever has caused 22 outbreaks, a record high, with more than 150,000 pigs slaughtered. Foot-and-mouth disease has also been confirmed at three farms in Incheon Ganghwa County and Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province. (CCTV News)