The nation reported three new cases of African swine fever(ASF) in central and southern areas.

The central headquarters handling the disease said Friday that the three new cases each had been reported on pig farms in Jeongeup in North Jeolla Province, Gimcheon in North Gyeongsang Province and Hongseong in South Chungcheong Province.

The total number of ASF cases reported this year has risen to 14.

Authorities dispatched first responders and epidemiologists to the farms and closed the properties to people, livestock and vehicles. 

All pigs at the affected farms will be culled in accordance with the ASF emergency action guidelines.

A 48-hour standstill order was also issued for livestock workers and vehicles at pig farms, slaughterhouses and feed factories in about 20 counties and cities in the Jeolla, Chungcheong and Gyeongsang Provinces.