10 cattle tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease antigen at Yecheon cattle farm in Gyeongbuk… A total of 14 cases this year

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Hong Guk-ki = The Foot-and-Mouth Disease Central Accident Control Headquarters announced on the 3rd that 10 cows positive for foot-and-mouth disease antigen were confirmed during a surveillance inspection at a cattle farm in Yecheon-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do.

This farm is a place where 98 cows are raised, and as it is located within the quarantine area of ​​Yecheon, where foot-and-mouth disease broke out on the 3rd of last month, management such as movement restrictions has been implemented.

The results of this test came out during the surveillance process for lifting the quarantine zone.

As a result, the total number of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks this year has increased to 14. By region, there are 9 cases in Yecheon, Gyeongbuk, 2 cases in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, and 3 cases in Ganghwa, Incheon.

In order to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, the Central Defense Agency dispatched an initial quarantine team and an epidemiological investigation team to the site.

In addition, we are controlling the entry of outsiders, livestock, and vehicles into the farm, and conducting epidemiological investigations and detailed and clinical tests on farms where outbreaks occurred.

Joongsubon explained that 10 antigen-positive animals confirmed to be infected are planned to be disposed of, and if clinical symptoms are present or additional antigen-positive animals are confirmed, partial livestock disposal will also be carried out.

In addition, special quarantine management will be implemented on artiodactyl farms, livestock facilities, and livestock vehicles in six cities and counties adjacent to Yecheon-gun (Andong-si, Uiseong-gun, Sangju-si, Mungyeong-si, Yeongju-si, and Danyang-gun).

Heavy water control plans to intensively disinfect and clean the farm and surrounding roads by mobilizing 69 available resources, including wide-area pest control machines and quarantine vehicles.

In addition, Jungsubon decided to carry out telephone surveillance on artiodactyl breeding farms across the country and operate a nationwide intensive disinfection week from the 4th to the 10th.

During this period, intensive disinfection will be carried out on artiodactyl farms and livestock vehicles across the country.

Joongsubon said, “This is a serious situation where foot-and-mouth disease has additionally occurred in Yecheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do, an existing outbreak area,” and requested relevant organizations and local governments to make all-out efforts in quarantine measures such as detailed testing, intensive disinfection, and infectious antibody (NSP) management.

He also emphasized that livestock farms in outbreak areas should be vaccinated without missing individuals, that outsiders should be controlled, and that quarantine measures such as cleaning and disinfecting the inside and outside of the farm should be thoroughly implemented.