Foot-and-mouth Disease Confirmed at Muan Pig Farm... Jeonnam Province on High Alert for Spread

Concerns Rise as FMD Spreads from Cattle to Pigs
All Vaccinated Pigs to Be Culled Despite Immunization

A quarantine official is controlling access in front of a Korean beef farm in Yeongam County, Jeollanam-do, where foot-and-mouth disease occurred on the 18th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News

Two additional cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) have been reported at pig farms in Muan, Jeonnam, prompting authorities to strengthen quarantine measures. While FMD had previously occurred mainly at Korean cattle farms, confirmation of the disease in pigs has raised concerns in the local community about the potential for wider transmission.

According to Jeonnam Province on the 11th, two pig farms located in Muan County have tested positive for FMD. The two farms are located 1.5km and 1.8km away from the previous FMD outbreak sites, and the virus was detected on the barn floors during quarantine zone movement restriction lift inspections. The final confirmation was made following detailed testing of the livestock.

Jeonnam Province reported that the vaccine antibody positivity rate at the two farms was very high at 98.4%, suggesting that immunity had been established through vaccination and that no symptoms appeared. However, to prevent further spread, authorities have immediately restricted access and decided to cull all 5,470 pigs being raised at the two farms.

Including these cases, there have been a total of 16 FMD cases reported domestically this year. Jeonnam Province had completed vaccination of all cloven-hoofed animals in 22 cities and counties by last month, and with no additional cases since the 8th, preparations were underway to lift quarantine zones.

However, the additional cases at pig farms have put Jeonnam Province on high alert. The quarantine zone will be maintained within a 3km radius of the affected farms in Muan, and the movement restriction period will be extended by three weeks. The operation of livestock markets, which were scheduled to reopen, has also been temporarily suspended to prevent the spread of FMD.

Park Hyunsik, Director of the Agriculture and Livestock Food Bureau of Jeonnam Province, stated, "We must make every effort to eliminate any viruses that may remain inside farms, vehicles, or with personnel," and requested, "Please ensure thorough daily cleaning and disinfection, vehicle control, and all possible measures for effective quarantine."