Gangwon-do to Conduct Comprehensive Testing for 'Swine and Goat Foot-and-Mouth Disease'

Investigation of Vaccine Antibody Formation in 203 Breeding Farms from January to March
Special Management Including Booster Vaccination and Retesting for Farms with Low Antibody Positivity Rates

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gangwon Province is set to prevent the introduction of the highly contagious livestock disease Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) into the province and to check the formation of vaccine antibodies by targeting pigs and goats raised at livestock farms within the province.

Photo by Yoon Dong-joo

On the 26th, the Gangwon Provincial Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory announced, "We will conduct a 'Foot-and-Mouth Disease Mass Inspection' targeting 203 pig and goat farms by March to provide booster vaccinations, vaccine usage education, and re-inspections for farms with low antibody positivity rates, and implement special management measures."

According to the Hygiene Testing Laboratory, from the 25th of this month until the end of March, all pig farms (191 households) and specialized goat farms (12 households) in the province will be tested for 'NS antibodies (antibodies confirming virus infection)' and 'SP antibodies (vaccine antibodies)'.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease, which causes a high mortality rate, can be sufficiently prevented through thorough vaccination. Farms with low antibody positivity rates based on inspection results will receive booster vaccinations, and quarantine inspections including confirmation tests and fines will be conducted.

Additionally, through this mass inspection, the province plans to ensure complete vaccination coverage, increase antibody positivity rates through continuous farm guidance and education, and maintain ongoing management.

The laboratory conducts ongoing antibody positivity rate inspections following FMD vaccination. Last year, 32,735 animals were tested, confirming rates of 98.3% for cattle, 92.1% for pigs, and 91.3% for goats.

Seo Jong-eok, Director of the Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory, urged, "To prevent Foot-and-Mouth Disease, livestock farmers should thoroughly vaccinate according to the schedule and actively cooperate with frequent disinfection inside and outside the farms and sample collection for testing."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.