Animal Hygiene Testing Center Urges Immediate Reporting of Livestock Abnormalities Such as Deaths
[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] The Gangwon-do Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory urged livestock farmers to "pay close attention to livestock management and barn disinfection" following unprecedented heatwaves and record-breaking heavy rains.
According to the Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory on the 10th, there is a high risk of digestive diseases caused by feed spoilage during heavy rains.
In particular, flooding of cattle barns due to rainwater and the inflow of various sediments into farms increase the likelihood of soil-borne diseases such as botulism and blackleg, as well as malignant livestock infectious diseases like African swine fever.
'Botulism' is a toxic disease in which animals ingest neurotoxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, leading to nerve paralysis.
Blackleg, a second-class statutory livestock infectious disease, is caused by bacteria (Clostridium) found in contaminated water, soil, and feed, and infected animals die within 1 to 2 days after onset.
In fact, after heavy rains in September 2011 in Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do, botulism occurred in a cattle farm, and in Gangwon-do, blackleg cases were reported following sediment loss due to civil engineering works.
Preventive measures for livestock damage include ▲ pest control using insecticides or installing insect screens ▲ storing mixed feed and hay in dry and cool places ▲ thorough vaccination against viral diarrhea, bovine ephemeral fever, porcine pleuropneumonia, and porcine transmissible gastroenteritis ▲ regular disinfection inside and outside barns.
Since July, the Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory has supported the Summer Disaster Preparedness Animal Medical Support Team (18 teams, 54 members), supplying animal medicines such as vitamins, antidiarrheals, digestive stimulants, and disinfectants to affected farms.
Seo Jong-eok, director of the Gangwon-do Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory, urged, "Livestock farmers should take thorough preventive measures to avoid livestock damage and immediately report any abnormalities or deaths to the relevant Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory or city/county authorities."
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