Synopsis
On March 14, 2023, South Korea confirmed its first foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in nearly two years at a cattle farm in Yeongam. The government has initiated emergency measures, including culling affected livestock and imposing a nationwide standstill on animal farms to prevent further spread.Key Takeaways
- First FMD case in nearly two years confirmed.
- Located at a beef cattle farm in Yeongam, South Korea.
- All cattle to be culled to contain the outbreak.
- Emergency measures include a nationwide standstill.
- Collaboration between ministries to manage the situation.
Seoul, March 14 (NationPress) South Korea has confirmed a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) case at a local cattle farm, marking its first outbreak of the animal ailment in nearly two years, according to the agriculture ministry on Friday.
The FMD case was identified at a beef cattle farm located in Yeongam, approximately 300 kilometers south of Seoul, housing around 180 cows, as reported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Yonhap news agency indicated.
The last reported instances of FMD in the country occurred in May 2023.
To prevent the spread of the disease, all cattle at the farm will be culled, as FMD affects cloven-hoofed animals, including pigs and goats, according to the ministry.
The ministry has also implemented a standstill order on all animal farms and related facilities nationwide until 8 a.m. on Sunday and has initiated intensive quarantine efforts in Yeongam and surrounding areas.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok has instructed relevant ministries to enforce comprehensive preventive measures to manage the outbreak promptly.
"The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs must collaborate closely with relevant agencies to rapidly execute emergency actions such as culling, entry controls, testing, and disinfection, following the emergency response guidelines," Choi stated.
FMD is a serious infectious viral disease affecting livestock, characterized by fever and the development of vesicles primarily in the mouth and on the feet. This condition is one of the most contagious diseases among livestock.
Earlier in January, South Korea imposed an import ban on German pork following an outbreak of the highly contagious FMD in the European nation, as reported by Yonhap.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs noted that this decision followed Germany's report of its first FMD case since 1988.
FMD is among the most infectious diseases affecting cloven-hoofed animals like cattle and pigs, and it can spread swiftly if not controlled.
