First Foot-and-Mouth Disease Case in Two Years Reported in Jeonnam... Quarantine Authorities on High Alert (Comprehensive)

Four Hanwoo Cattle Infected at a Farm in Dopyo-myeon, Yeongam
First Case Since Gaining Foot-and-Mouth Disease-Free Status
About 160 Cattle at the Affected Farm to Be Culled
48-Hour Movement Ban for Cloven-Hoofed Animal Farm Workers and Vehicles
Partial Disruption Expected in Overseas Exports of Locally Produced Hanwoo Cattle

Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Youngrok is presiding over an emergency quarantine measures inspection meeting on the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at a Hanwoo farm in Yeongam County at the disaster situation room of the provincial office on the morning of the 14th. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Foot-and-mouth disease, often referred to as "cattle AIDS," has been reported in South Jeolla Province for the first time in about two years in Korea. Authorities in South Jeolla and other quarantine agencies have entered emergency mode.

According to South Jeolla Province on the 14th, four Hanwoo cattle raised at a farm in Dopyo-myeon, Yeongam-gun, South Jeolla, were found to be infected with foot-and-mouth disease.

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, and sheep when they are infected with the foot-and-mouth disease virus. It is characterized by the appearance of blisters (vesicles) mainly on the lips, tongue, gums, and nose, accompanied by a rapid rise in body temperature and loss of appetite, often resulting in death. It is designated as a major livestock infectious disease by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and is classified as a Type 1 livestock infectious disease under the Livestock Infectious Disease Prevention Act.

This is the first confirmed outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at a domestic farm (in North Chungcheong Province) since May 2023, marking a return after 1 year and 10 months. Notably, South Jeolla had maintained its status as a foot-and-mouth disease-free region for 23 years since obtaining the designation in November 2002, but has now lost that status.

South Jeolla Province is currently mobilizing all administrative resources to prevent further spread. The province has decided to immediately carry out foot-and-mouth disease vaccinations, which were previously conducted twice a year in April and October. Emergency vaccinations will be administered to 1,157,000 cloven-hoofed animals (cattle, pigs, goats, deer, etc.) in Yeongam-gun, the outbreak area, and seven neighboring cities and counties (Naju, Hwasun, Jangheung, Gangjin, Haenam, Mokpo, Muan). To expedite the vaccination process, 108 teams comprising 377 personnel have been organized.

For the farm where foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed, approximately 160 cattle will be culled in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for emergency response. Separately, the Central Accident Management Headquarters for Foot-and-Mouth Disease has issued a 48-hour standstill order for all personnel and vehicles associated with cloven-hoofed animal farms, slaughterhouses, and feed factories nationwide.

Additionally, the crisis alert level for eight cities and counties, including Yeongam-gun (Mokpo, Naju, Hwasun, Jangheung, Gangjin, Haenam, Muan), has been raised from "attention" to "serious," while the rest of the country has been elevated to the "caution" level. No additional suspected cases have been reported so far. However, with this confirmed outbreak, the export of Hanwoo cattle produced in South Jeolla is expected to face difficulties.

Meanwhile, Kim Yung-rok, Governor of South Jeolla Province, convened an emergency disaster response meeting following the outbreak at a Hanwoo farm in Yeongam. He emphasized the importance of farm-level quarantine and vaccination of all cloven-hoofed animals and urged all-out efforts to contain the spread.