Quarantine officers on alert to stop spread of red imported fire ants

By Lim Chang-won Posted : October 2, 2017, 16:58 Updated : October 2, 2017, 16:58

The nest of red imported fire ants is placed under the pavement of a container port in the southern city of Busan.[Yonhap News Photo]


Health authorities held an emergency meeting to work out steps aimed at stopping the possible spread of red imported fire ants after their next was discovered for the first time in South Korea.

The meeting in Gimcheon was attended by officials from various government bodies including the environment ministry, the agriculture ministry and the state quarantine station.

Dozens of red imported fire ants, a notorious pest native to South America, was found first on September 28 at the container port in the southern port city of Busan. A day later, quarantine officers discovered the nest of about 1,000 ants in the same place.

Red imported fire ants have been accidentally introduced in Australia, New Zealand, several Asian and Caribbean countries and the United States. The ants thrive in urban areas and pose a threat to animals and livestock, capable of inflicting serious injury or killing them.

Most victims experience intense burning and swelling. Common symptoms include dizziness, chest pain, nausea, severe sweating, low blood pressure, loss of breath, and slurred speech.



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