December 16, 2010

 

South Korean government raises alert level for FMD

 

 

The South Korean government has raised its alert level for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), after pigs from farms in Gyeonggi Province were confirmed to have been infected on Wednesday (Dec 15).

 

It is feared that the highly contagious virus may deal a serious blow to the nation's livestock industry, as pigs are more vulnerable to the animal disease than cows.

 

The Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced Wednesday (Dec 15) that it was imposing a higher warning level.

 

The measure comes with FMD being confirmed at pig farms in Yangju and Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province. The two farms have the same owner and each had 1,200 pigs.

 

Previously, the virus was found at farms only in North Gyeongsang Province with Andong being the epicenter.

 

Pigs spread the disease to other animals much faster than cows do.

 

Another farm in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, and several others in North Gyeongsang Province reported suspected cases, and quarantine experts are conducting an investigation.

 

The authorities will slaughter and bury 18,000 pigs and cows at 23 farms within a 500-meter radius of the infected farms. They have also set up a quarantine zone around Yangju and Yeoncheon to disinfect cars traveling to and from the cities.

 

"We are investigating how the disease has spread to the farms in Gyeonggi Province. It is unlikely that the virus came from Andong because the farm owner and workers have not visited North Gyeongsang Province. The final investigation result will be released soon," a ministry official said.

 

Farms in Andong first reported the disease on November 29, about half a year after the last outbreak in Korea. In five days, the epidemic has spread to Yecheon, about 21 kilometres southwest of Andong.

 

A total of 35 farms have been confirmed to be infected with the disease so far, with more than 150,000 livestock slaughtered as a result. Those farms are expected to suffer more than KRW300 billion (US$260 million) in losses.

 

Korea was declared clear of the disease in September by the World Organization for Animal Health, but was deprived of the status following the recent outbreak.

 

The disease affects animals with cloven hooves, such as cows, pigs, sheep, goats, and deer.