Authorities suspect that illegal imports of livestock products could have resulted in the entry of the African swine fever virus that triggered an epidemic in the country this year.

According to the Central Disaster Management Headquarters, a total of 14 cases of African swine fever have been confirmed this year, including the latest cases in Hongseong, South Chungcheong, Jeongeup, North Jeolla and Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang.

The tally is the same as the count from 2019, the first year the viral disease was reported in the country, and more than double last year's six cases.

The headquarters said interim findings from an epidemiological survey verified a possibility of the virus' entry through illegal livestock imports.

Authorities have heightened monitoring of the outbreaks as the latest cases include Hongseong, an area with the largest concentration of pig farms in the nation.

Their recent crackdown of foreign food product sellers nationwide found four unregistered processed pork imports at one location, and the African swine fever viral gene was detected in three of the products.
 
The investigation is also focusing on potential transmissions through stock feed and additives, livestock equipment and underground water supplies.