Jeonbuk Province Completes Vaccination to Prevent Foot-and-Mouth Disease Inflow

Emergency Vaccination Completed for 545,000 Cattle and Goats
14 Cases of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Spread in Jeonnam

Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province completed emergency vaccination ahead of schedule on the 27th to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) currently spreading in the Jeonnam region.

According to the province on the 28th, this measure was taken after the first FMD case was reported in Yeongam, Jeonnam on the 13th, with a total of 14 cases confirmed by the 23rd?13 in Yeongam and 1 in Muan.

Jeonbuk Province completed emergency vaccination early on the 27th to block the inflow of foot-and-mouth disease. Photo by Jeonbuk Province

In response to the seriousness of the situation, the province began emergency vaccination of approximately 545,000 cattle and goats within the province starting from the 14th.

The province initially planned to complete the vaccinations by the end of this month by deploying 72 teams (144 personnel), but due to the increasing spread in neighboring areas, 30 additional personnel were mobilized. The province also encouraged unvaccinated farms to participate through phone calls and text messages, thereby expediting the schedule.

Although the vaccinations have been completed, quarantine measures will continue. Considering that it takes at least 1 to 2 weeks for immunity to develop after vaccination, the province has extended the suspension of livestock market operations from the original date of the 31st to the 6th of next month.

Additionally, in light of the situation in Jeonnam, the province plans to prohibit the trade of cattle from Jeonnam in local livestock markets at least until the 13th. Further measures include controlling feed trucks traveling to and from Jeonnam and strengthening disinfection of vehicles entering and exiting livestock markets.

Kim Jonghun, Vice Governor for Economic Affairs of Jeonbuk Province, stated, "Even after vaccination, we cannot be complacent," and urged, "Please strictly follow quarantine guidelines on farms, such as disinfecting vehicles and changing boots."