Gwangju, a Foot-and-Mouth Disease-Free Zone, Conducts Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Antibody Test

Gwangju Institute of Health and Environment to Conduct
"FMD Vaccine Antibody Test" on 100 Cattle and Pig Farms Until May 31

Photo material for foot-and-mouth disease vaccine administration confirmation test. Provided by Gwangju City

Gwangju Institute of Health and Environment announced on the 14th that it will conduct a "Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Vaccine Antibody Test" on cattle and pigs shipped from local farms and slaughterhouses until May 31.

This inspection is a regular check to verify the effectiveness of the FMD vaccine and to detect any outdoor virus infections following the mass vaccination in the first half of this year. The test targets 530 cattle and pigs from 20 local farms and 80 farms shipping to slaughterhouses. Priority is given to farms with no antibody test history since 2024, farms with an antibody positivity rate below 80%, and farms that self-administered vaccinations.

If the test results show that the antibody positivity rate falls below the standard (80% for cattle, 30% for fattening pigs, 60% for breeding pigs), an additional 16 animals from the relevant farm will be sampled for retesting. If the standard is still not met, the findings will be reported to the relevant district office.

Additionally, if a positive case is detected in the antibody test for outdoor virus infection, it will be considered a suspected case of FMD, and emergency quarantine measures such as movement restrictions and expanded testing will be implemented.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs completed early mass vaccination of cattle and goats nationwide to prevent the spread of FMD that occurred last month at Hanwoo farms in Yeongam and Muan, Jeonnam. Gwangju City also completed vaccinations by the 21st of last month. Furthermore, the FMD crisis level has been raised from "Attention" to "Caution," and the quarantine countermeasures situation room continues to operate.

Jung Hyuncheol, Director of the Gwangju Institute of Health and Environment, stated, "This inspection is a key quarantine measure to maintain Gwangju as an FMD-free area, going beyond simply checking vaccination status," and urged, "Livestock farms should ensure complete vaccination and immediately report any suspected symptoms of FMD."