“First Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak in Korea in 4 Years and 4 Months”

Foot-and-mouth disease recurred in Korea for the first time in 4 years and 4 months.

The foot-and-mouth disease outbreak farms are two Korean beef farms located in Naedun-ri and Hwasang-ri, Buk-myeon, Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do. They are 204 and 166, respectively. The distance between the two farms is 2.1 km.

On the 10th, in the process of treatment by a public veterinarian, suspicious symptoms of foot-and-mouth disease such as drooling and blisters (nipple, inside the mouth) were confirmed in some individuals, and it was reported and received as a suspected axis at around 3:50 pm on the same day. And as a result of a thorough laboratory test near midnight, the final diagnosis was confirmed as foot-and-mouth disease type O. It is known that the same result was obtained in the simple test kit conducted earlier.

As of 0:00 on the 11th, the quarantine authorities are taking measures to prevent the spread of Korean cattle at the farm where the outbreak occurred, and as of 0:00 on the 11th, a 48-hour temporary suspension order has been issued for ungulate farms, slaughterhouses, feed factories, vehicles entering and exiting, and related livestock facilities. (0:00 on the 11th – 24:00 on the 12th).

This case of foot-and-mouth disease in Cheongju is the first officially positive case since January 2019 in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, and Chungju, North Chungcheong Province (3 cases on January 28-31). Recurrence in 1560 days, 4 years and 3 months. Until recently, the Korean government was in the process of being recognized as a country free from foot-and-mouth disease vaccine by the international community (WOAH).

※ Summary of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks(Source: Foot-and-mouth disease white paper 2019)

Reporter Lee Deuk-heun ([email protected])