Muan County Implements Culling and Movement Restrictions Due to Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak

Strengthened Quarantine Measures for All Farms Within 3km

Muan-gun, South Jeolla Province (Governor Kim San), implemented emergency quarantine measures and is making every effort to prevent the spread after an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed at a Hanwoo cattle farm in Illo-eup at 9:30 a.m. on the 16th.

According to the county on the 17th, the farm had received a foot-and-mouth disease vaccination on the 15th, but suspicious symptoms were observed around 8 p.m. the same day and immediately reported to the quarantine authorities. A subsequent detailed test by the Animal Hygiene Testing Center confirmed a positive result for foot-and-mouth disease.

On the 16th, during an emergency video conference hosted by Jeonnam Province with city and county officials, the situation of foot-and-mouth disease prevention and control was shared, and cooperation measures for rapid initial response were discussed. Provided by Muan County

The farm was raising 69 Hanwoo cattle, and the county, in cooperation with South Jeolla Province, immediately placed the farm under control, conducted emergency disinfection, and began culling all animals from 11 a.m. on the 16th.

Movement restrictions were immediately imposed on a total of 33,458 animals at 197 farms within the quarantine zone (within 3 km): 5,344 cattle at 173 farms, 27,183 pigs at 13 farms, and 931 goats at 11 farms. Foot-and-mouth disease vaccinations are scheduled to be completed as quickly as possible by the end of the day.

Governor Kim San visited the on-site situation room for the outbreak and stated, "The initial response is more important than anything to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease to other farms," and instructed, "Strengthen quarantine measures and have each town and township head directly inspect the quarantine status of all farms in Muan."

Vice Governor Jung Hyungu remained at the foot-and-mouth disease emergency response situation room from 8 p.m. on the 15th, when suspicious symptoms were confirmed, overseeing the overall response plan and thoroughly checking countermeasures. He also attended an emergency city-county video conference hosted by South Jeolla Province at 10:30 a.m. on the 16th to share the quarantine response situation and discuss cooperation plans for a rapid initial response.

Vice Governor Jung said, "Vaccination is the top priority to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease," and added, "We have secured 320,000 doses of vaccine for all cloven-hoofed animals in Muan, so please ensure perfect quarantine management until 10 days after the vaccine takes effect."

He continued, "Quickly notify residents of the situation via text messages, and mobilize all personnel and equipment for quarantine around major roads and livestock farms to do your utmost to prevent further spread."

Meanwhile, Muan-gun is making every effort to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease by ▲assigning one-on-one dedicated officials to each farm (all pigs, cattle farms with more than 100 head), ▲operating a 24-hour foot-and-mouth disease emergency response situation room, ▲temporarily suspending all farm movements, and ▲operating 24-hour control posts at farm entrances and major roads.