Five cattle tested positive for Lumpy Skin Disease following detailed inspections at a Hanwoo farm located in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. This marks the fourth nationwide occurrence this year and the third case in Gyeonggi Province.
On the 19th, the Lumpy Skin Disease Countermeasures Headquarters announced that, upon confirmation of Lumpy Skin Disease, a meeting was held with relevant ministries and local governments to review the outbreak situation and quarantine measures.
An official from the Countermeasures Headquarters explained, "On the 18th, the owner of a Hanwoo farm in Yeoju reported a skin nodule found on one of the cattle to the livestock quarantine agency. Detailed tests confirmed that five cattle tested positive for Lumpy Skin Disease."
Following the confirmation of Lumpy Skin Disease at the Hanwoo farm in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, the Countermeasures Headquarters immediately dispatched an initial response team and an epidemiological investigation team to the site to enforce emergency quarantine measures, including restricting access of outsiders and vehicles to the farm, culling (five cattle), disinfection, and conducting an epidemiological investigation.
Additionally, a temporary movement ban order has been issued and is in effect for 24 hours until 7:30 PM on the 19th in seven cities and counties where Lumpy Skin Disease has occurred or are adjacent: Yeoju, Icheon, Gwangju, Yangpyeong, Wonju, Chungju, and Eumseong. In particular, the crisis level has been raised from 'caution' to 'serious' for two adjacent cities/counties, Yangpyeong in Gyeonggi Province and Wonju in Gangwon Province, with plans to complete emergency vaccination by the 26th.
Kim Jong-gu, Director of Agricultural Innovation Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "There have been cases of Lumpy Skin Disease even in areas where vaccination has been completed, which is presumed to be due to some vaccinations being missed or administered inaccurately. Therefore, in the Yangpyeong and Wonju areas where emergency vaccinations are being conducted, thorough training on proper vaccination procedures should be provided to prevent similar cases." He added, "Especially in Gyeonggi Province, where Lumpy Skin Disease has occurred three times, more meticulous management is necessary to prevent further outbreaks and spread."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
