South Korea still under FMD attack
South Korea has yet again discovered another case of Foot-and-Mouth disease (FMD) in the country’s biggest port city.
The discovery was made at a pig and goat farm in Busan, which raised 568 animals.
This recent case comes after the 13 million heads of cattle and pigs in the country were vaccinated since January, but have not been given a second vaccine to create more resistance to the virus.
“Since the pigs at the farm have only recently received shots, while the goats are not included in the ongoing vaccination program, all the livestock have been ordered culled,” the farm ministry said.
When the disease was first discovered last year November (29 Nov), Seoul has destoyed over 3.16 million cattle, pigs, goats, sheep and deer. Losses are said to be around 2 trillion won (USD 1.8 billion).
The total number of officially confirmed FMD outbreaks currently stands at 146 the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said. It is also the first confirmed case in the city located 450 km south east of Seoul.
South Korea is planning its second phase of nationwide vaccination process. The country is aiming to finish the process in mid- March.
Source: Yonhap News Agency
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