First Domestic Case of Viral Disease 'Lumpy Skin Disease' at Seosan Hanwoo Farm

Emergency Quarantine Measures Including Culling at Affected Farms
Nationwide Temporary Movement Ban

Lumpy Skin Disease, a viral disease affecting cattle, has occurred at a Hanwoo farm in Seosan, Chungnam. This is the first confirmed case in South Korea.

On the 19th, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that during a veterinary examination at a Hanwoo farm in Seosan (raising about 40 cattle), skin lesions were found and reported on four cattle. The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency conducted a detailed examination and confirmed the occurrence of Lumpy Skin Disease on the 20th.

Lumpy Skin Disease is a viral disease that infects only cattle. It is characterized by high fever and skin nodules (hard lumps). It is mainly transmitted by blood-sucking insects such as mosquitoes, and the mortality rate is below 10%.

To prevent the spread of Lumpy Skin Disease, the Ministry dispatched an initial quarantine team and an epidemiological investigation team to the affected farm to control the entry of outsiders, livestock, and vehicles. Along with the epidemiological investigation, the cattle raised at the farm will be culled according to the emergency Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

Additionally, from 2 p.m. on the same day until 2 p.m. on the 22nd, a 48-hour temporary movement restriction order was issued nationwide for workers and vehicles at cattle farms, slaughterhouses, feed factories, and other livestock-related facilities. During the movement restriction period, intensive disinfection will be conducted, and the scope of emergency vaccination will be discussed through the Livestock Disease Control Committee.

An official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs urged, "To prevent the spread of Lumpy Skin Disease, related agencies and local governments should devote all efforts to rapid culling, detailed inspections, and intensive disinfection. Cattle farmers are requested to carry out parasite control such as insecticide spraying, disinfect farms and surrounding equipment, and immediately report any suspected animals to livestock quarantine officers."

Kwon Jae-han, Director of Agricultural Innovation Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, is presiding over the quarantine meeting on the 20th.

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