Canine Brucellosis Detected at Ganghwa Animal Breeding Facility; Ministry of Agriculture Mobilizes to Prevent Spread

The government has implemented quarantine measures to prevent the spread of brucellosis after the disease was detected in a dog rescued from an animal breeding facility in Ganghwa. Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease that requires careful attention.

On August 14, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that brucellosis had been detected in a dog rescued by an animal protection organization from an animal breeding and production facility in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, on August 4. The ministry stated that it is taking quarantine measures to prevent further spread.

The rescued animal was found to be suspected of having canine brucellosis during a veterinary examination for a health checkup. Comprehensive testing was then conducted on all companion animals housed at the same facility by city and provincial diagnostic agencies. As a result, 105 out of 260 animals tested positive and are currently under isolation and treatment.

Canine brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by bacterial infection. In dogs, it primarily causes reproductive disorders such as miscarriages and genital inflammation, and is classified as a type II livestock infectious disease. In Korea, there are typically one to four sporadic cases reported annually.

Upon confirmation of the canine brucellosis case, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs promptly shared and disseminated the situation with relevant agencies, including the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and local governments. The ministry also established quarantine protocols for brucellosis outbreaks in companion animals (dogs and cats) and implemented emergency measures such as cleaning and disinfecting the affected site, isolating each positive animal, and conducting epidemiological investigations.

Going forward, the ministry plans to strengthen oversight of animal production facilities to prevent similar incidents. In cooperation with the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, local government animal protection officers, and honorary animal protection officers, the ministry will conduct joint inspections from August to September. These inspections will focus on facilities and personnel standards, as well as compliance requirements at animal production and sales businesses where issues have been identified. Any violations discovered will be dealt with strictly in accordance with relevant regulations.

Additionally, the ministry will distribute a set of guidelines titled "Brucellosis Quarantine Management Protocols for Animal (Dog) Production Facilities" and will produce and distribute an additional "Guideline" that provides detailed explanations of the laws and management standards that individual operators of animal production and sales businesses must follow.

Based on the results of these joint inspections, the ministry also plans to continue working closely with animal protection organizations to identify and implement further institutional improvements needed for animal welfare and disease management at the production and sales stages of companion animals.

Choi Jeongrok, Director General of the Quarantine Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "We are conducting thorough quarantine management in close cooperation with local governments to prevent further spread," and urged, "If you observe suspected symptoms of brucellosis, such as fetal death or miscarriage in companion animals, please report it immediately to the livestock quarantine authorities."

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