A cattle farm in Yecheon, North Gyeongsang Province, confirmed an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on November 12, bringing the total number of domestic cases this year to 16, according to Yonhap News Agency.
The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters identified the virus after testing 47 head of cattle at the facility and confirming eight positive cases.
The government deployed an initial response team and an epidemiological investigation unit to the farm to restrict the movement of people, livestock, and vehicles. Authorities implemented emergency quarantine protocols, including mandatory vaccinations for local animals.
To prevent further transmission, the government ordered road disinfection around farms in six neighboring cities and counties, including Andong, Uiseong, Sangju, Mungyeong, Yeongju, and Danyang in North Chungcheong Province. Authorities also placed 12 epidemiologically linked farms, 449 slaughterhouses, and five vehicles under movement restrictions and disinfection orders.
Clinical examinations of the livestock at the affected farm showed no visible symptoms, and precision testing revealed a high rate of positive antibodies. Based on these results, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters decided to defer the culling of the eight confirmed infected animals following consultations with experts and the Livestock Quarantine Council.
“If field test results confirm there is no risk of transmission, we will proceed with slaughterhouse shipments,” the agency said. However, officials said that if further virus detection or an increase in non-structural protein (NSP) antibodies occurs, they will halt the testing and proceed with the immediate disposal of the livestock.
The government will conduct intensive clinical examinations of all farms in the affected zones and epidemiologically linked locations through November 13. These inspections will continue twice weekly until all movement restrictions are lifted.
From November 13 to November 19, the government will conduct a nationwide disinfection campaign targeting cloven-hoofed animal farms, livestock facilities, and transport vehicles.
A dedicated task force has been established to manage the special FMD response. Authorities have urged local governments and related institutions to remain vigilant regarding farm monitoring, intensive disinfection, and the management of infection antibodies.