Choi Sang-mok, acting president and Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, instructed on the 14th regarding the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, which has occurred in the country for about two years, to "do your best for prompt culling, access control, and inspection and disinfection in the initial response."
The Central Disaster Management Headquarters for Foot-and-Mouth Disease announced that the outbreak occurred at a Korean beef farm in Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do, on that day. The confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease on domestic farms is the first in 1 year and 10 months since May 2023.
Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious disease that occurs when ruminants (hoofed animals with split hooves) like cattle, pigs, and sheep are infected by the foot-and-mouth disease virus, and it is designated as a Class 1 livestock infectious disease in the country.
Acting President Choi said, "The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs must closely cooperate with relevant agencies and local governments," and added, "Please thoroughly manage the temporary movement restrictions currently implemented on farms of ruminants and livestock vehicles to prevent horizontal transmission between farms."
He continued, "Advance the timing of the nationwide vaccination of foot-and-mouth disease from the originally scheduled dates of July 1-30 to this month’s 14-31, and please ensure it is completed accurately and quickly, and thoroughly check whether the vaccination was conducted properly," and emphasized, "Make sure that disinfection measures for livestock sheds and farm access vehicles are thoroughly implemented on-site with careful inspections."