First Domestic Case of Goat Botulism Occurs in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi-do

Gyeonggi-do Northern Animal Hygiene Testing Center, Warning of Botulism in Goats
12 Goats Dead at Yeoncheon County Goat Farm... Final Diagnosis of Botulism
Same Type of Botulism Toxin Detected in Dead Goats and Rotten Food Waste

Exterior view of Gyeonggi Provincial Government Northern Office.

At a goat farm in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, livestock deaths due to 'botulism' infection have occurred for the first time in South Korea.

According to the Northern Gyeonggi Animal Hygiene Laboratory on the 23rd, a clinical veterinarian reported that about 10 goats suddenly died at a farm in Yeoncheon-gun on the 3rd. An on-site inspection and autopsy were conducted, and the final diagnosis after detailed examination was 'botulism.'

Botulism is a disease in which animals consume toxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, causing nerve paralysis. Depending on the amount of toxin, it can kill most of the livestock being raised, causing significant damage to farms. It is a poisoning caused by consuming contaminated water or feed, not an infectious disease, but it is difficult to treat.

The farm was raising 24 goats, and half of them, 12 goats, died within just two days. Traces of leftover food being given as feed were found on site.

Gyeonggi Province has urged farms to exercise special caution following the occurrence of botulism in goat farms within the province.

Jung Bong-su, director of the Northern Gyeonggi Animal Hygiene Laboratory, said, “Goats, like cattle, should not be fed leftover food. It is important to provide high-quality hay, concentrated feed, fresh grass, and uncontaminated water.” He added, “Vaccination is recommended for goats on farms where botulism symptoms have appeared or are at risk of occurring.”

Meanwhile, in July, the Northern Gyeonggi Animal Hygiene Laboratory diagnosed botulism as the cause of death for 12 cattle at a beef cattle farm in Yangju-si, where spoiled leftovers and rice straw were mixed and fed to the cattle. Emergency botulism vaccination was administered to prevent further damage. Since the occurrence of cattle botulism in Pocheon in August 2011, botulism has occurred in cattle across 14 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province up to last year. Last year, 140 cattle died in Yangju, Goyang, Pocheon, and Gwangmyeong.