Yeongam County Mobilizes All Available Resources to Prevent Foot-and-Mouth Disease Spread

Livestock Movement Restriction Order
"Compliance with Farm Quarantine Rules"

Yeongam County, South Jeolla Province (Governor Woo Seunghee) announced that on the 13th, a suspected case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was reported at a farm in Dobo-myeon, and a request for a detailed diagnosis was made to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency. On the 14th, the final result confirmed the case as FMD positive.

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious, legally designated livestock infectious disease (Type 1) that affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, goats, and deer. It is characterized by blisters on the lips and tongue of the animals, a rapid rise in body temperature, and a decrease in appetite. This confirmation of FMD is the first in Korea in 1 year and 10 months since the last case in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, on May 18, 2023.

Disinfecting livestock farms. Provided by Yeongam County

In accordance with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ “FMD Emergency Action Guidelines,” Yeongam County has carried out a culling operation at the affected farm and issued a “movement restriction order” for 29,429 livestock across 136 farms within a 3km quarantine zone.

Additionally, clinical observation and surveillance inspections of farms within the quarantine zone have been ordered to official veterinarians. All available resources, including disinfection vehicles, quarantine checkpoints on major roads, and the supply of disinfectants, are being mobilized to prevent the spread of FMD. Furthermore, the county plans to bring forward the scheduled mass FMD vaccination, originally planned for next month, to this month.

Lee Seungjun, Director of the Agricultural and Livestock Distribution Division, stated, “With the outbreak of FMD, movement restrictions for livestock farms and the installation of control checkpoints on major roads are expected to cause inconvenience to residents. We ask for your understanding as these are unavoidable measures to prevent the spread of FMD.”

He added, “Above all, it is crucial at this time to report any suspected animals, comply with movement restriction orders, and follow basic quarantine rules such as farm disinfection. We urge all farms to strictly adhere to these measures.”