Jeonnam Region's First Confirmed Case of Lumpy Skin Disease in Cattle, Quarantine Authorities on 'Alert'

Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Activated... Governor-led Strategy Meeting

Priority Vaccine Supply of 2.9 Million Doses to 10 High-Risk Cities and Counties

After the outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease in cattle within the country, it spread nationwide in just over 10 days, putting quarantine authorities on high alert. Even in Jeonnam, which had been considered a clean area, the first confirmed case was reported on the 29th, keeping tensions high.

According to Jeonnam Province on the 30th, one Hanwoo cow at a Hanwoo farm in Muan was confirmed positive for Lumpy Skin Disease following a detailed diagnosis the previous day. The farm owner reported symptoms such as nasal discharge, high fever, and skin nodules, and the test results confirmed the infection.

Although only one cow was confirmed positive, the damage is significant. All approximately 130 cattle at the affected farm were culled, and a control post was established at Bukmuan IC. A quarantine zone was set up within a 10 km radius of the affected farm, with movement restrictions and disinfection measures implemented. So far, no additional suspected livestock cases have been reported.

Given the situation, Jeonnam Province is maintaining a 24-hour emergency response system centered on the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and is swiftly implementing thorough integrated quarantine measures, including preparations for highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI).

Since the 29th, the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters has been activated, focusing all efforts on preventing further spread and achieving early stabilization. This is an upgrade from the quarantine task force that has been operating since the first domestic confirmation of Lumpy Skin Disease on the 20th.

Additionally, an early supply of Lumpy Skin Disease vaccines has been requested. Although the vaccines were originally scheduled for uniform distribution to all cities and counties on the 31st, 290,000 doses were prioritized and supplied by the 29th to 10 high-risk areas on the west coast, including Muan. The remaining doses will be supplied to all other cities and counties on the 31st to ensure rapid completion of vaccination. The high-risk areas are Mokpo, Naju, Gangjin, Haenam, Yeongam, Muan, Hampyeong, Yeonggwang, Jindo, and Sinan.

Before supplying the vaccines, the province expanded the vaccination teams from the original number by 64 members to a total of 119 teams with 338 personnel to ensure rapid vaccination. They also provided preliminary training on vaccination procedures to farmers who self-administer the vaccine.

This vaccine must be administered subcutaneously, unlike foot-and-mouth disease vaccines which are given intramuscularly. The dosage (1?2 ml) varies depending on the manufacturer, so users must check the enclosed instructions and follow the prescribed method and dosage. The subcutaneous injection involves properly restraining the cow, then using one hand to pull the skin on the neck to create a space between the skin and muscle, and injecting the needle at a 45-degree angle.

Jeonnam Province has also banned the movement of live cattle into and out of farms in Muan and neighboring areas including Mokpo, Naju, Yeongam, and Hampyeong. Along with thorough blocking quarantine measures, if necessary, they plan to fully strengthen the quarantine network through disaster management funds and manpower support.

Myung Chang-hwan, Vice Governor of Jeonnam Province, stated, “To prevent further spread, vaccination must be completed quickly, and until antibodies develop (3 weeks after vaccination), access by vehicles and people to farms must be controlled, and farm disinfection and blocking quarantine measures must be strengthened.” He added, “If any suspected symptoms of Lumpy Skin Disease appear, please report promptly to the nearest quarantine agency.”

He also noted, “Lumpy Skin Disease does not transmit to humans, and all infected cattle are culled, so the disease does not enter the food distribution network. Therefore, beef and milk can be consumed safely.”

Meanwhile, Lumpy Skin Disease, classified as the country’s first-class livestock infectious disease occurring in cattle, was first reported on the 19th in Seosan, Chungnam. As of the 30th, a total of 61 cases have been reported nationwide. By city and province, there are 24 cases in Gyeonggi, 23 in Chungnam, 7 in Incheon, 4 in Gangwon, and one case each in Chungbuk, Jeonbuk, and Jeonnam.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.