Impact of Carcass Detection Delays on the Sustained Transmission of African Swine Fever Among Wild Boars

African swine fever (ASF) is a devastating infectious disease caused by the ASF virus (ASFV), a member of the <i>Asfaviridae</i> family, which primarily affects species within the Suidae family, including several African wild boars, such as the warthog (<i>Phacochoerus Africanus</i>). ASFV is characterized by its robust double-stranded DNA genome and is transmitted through various transmission routes, including direct contact with infected pigs or fomites, ingestion of contaminated swill, and ticks from the <i>Ornithodoros</i> genus. Upon entry, the virus induces cell apoptosis, systemic hemorrhage, and high fever, typically leading to a near 100% fatality rate among affected pigs, thereby causing substantial losses to global swine populations. Similar to ASF outbreaks in other countries, South Korea reported its initial ASF infections in domestic pig farms in September 2019, following an incursion in wild boar populations. Subsequently, the virus propagated southward, tracing the natural migratory paths of wild boars through forested and mountainous regions, and sporadically infecting nearby pig farms. In response, robust surveillance of wild boar populations has become crucial, as these efforts provide timely and essential information to stakeholders. Effective and prompt removal of ASF-infected carcasses is critical, as these carcasses can remain infectious for extended periods, thereby posing a continuous risk of secondary outbreaks. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of the spatiotemporal patterns of ASF-infected wild boar carcasses, based on 41,192 wild boar samples collected through active and passive surveillance from September 2019 to March 2022. It examines how environmental conditions, such as forest density, regional humidity, and geographical terrain impact carcass decomposition rates and consequently, the detection timelines of ASF-infected wild boars. This research aims to pinpoint factors contributing to detection delays and refine strategies for early detection and rapid removal of contaminated carcasses, thereby enhancing control measures and mitigation efforts against ASF in affected regions.