S. Korea Not To Raise FMD Alert Level Despite New Outbreak
SOUTH KOREA - South Korea will not raise its present foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) alert level despite a fresh outbreak in the southeastern part of the country over the weekend, a government official said Monday.
18 April 2011
1 minute read
Deputy Farm Minister Lee Sang-kil said animals at the small farm in Yeongcheon, 344 kilometers from Seoul, were affected by the "type O" FMD virus that had devastated South Korea since November.
The farm owner reported the sick animals on Saturday, and they were confirmed to have the FMD virus the following day.
"There is no need to upgrade the country's present 'yellow' alert level to 'orange' since it is unlikely that the virus could pose risks to more animals," the official said.
He pointed out that all 13 million cattle and pigs have received shots to protect them from the "type O" virus.
Seoul lowered the alert status to "yellow" last Tuesday, and from "red" -- its maximum readiness posture -- to "orange" on March 24 after the last FMD case, before Saturday's, was reported on 26 February.
"More work needs to be done to determine why the animals got sick, but it may be due to the owner failing to vaccinate the breeding sow at the appropriate times," Lee said. "In order to fully inoculate newborn piglets, the sow must be shot three or four weeks before giving birth."
