September 30, 2024

South Korea seeks to commercialise genetic diagnostic kit for LSD next year

South Korea's agricultural ministry said on September 25 that it plans to commercialise a genetic diagnostic kit for lumpy skin disease (LSD) next year, designed to selectively cull infected cattle rather than destroying the entire herd.

The technology, developed jointly with Median Diagnostics, is capable of delivering results within eight hours, significantly faster than previous methods, which took a week, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The solution allows farms to cull only infected cattle, overcoming the limitations of past methods, which were less effective due to the need for rapid containment of LSD during an outbreak.

The ministry added that the technology allows local farms to spare 2,281 cattle during trials last year, which helped the government save ₩14.8 billion (US$$11.1 million) in compensation and other costs.

"The diagnostic technology, which enables the prompt and efficient identification of cattle testing positive for LSD, allows the government to selectively cull infected units and reduce damage to farms," the ministry said in a statement.

South Korea reported five LSD cases between August and September this year.

- Yonhap