S. Korea confirms 3rd outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease

SEOUL, Jan. 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's third foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)
outbreak this year has been confirmed at two dairy farm in Pocheon, 45 kilometers
north of Seoul, the government said Saturday.

The animals at the farm started showing FMD symptoms on Friday, causing local
quarantine officials to order the culling and burial of 124 head of dairy cattle,
the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said.
The country reported its first FMD outbreak in eight years on Jan. 7 and
confirmed its second case on Thursday. South Korea was hit by the highly
contagious animal disease in 2000 and 2002, with 15 and 16 cases reported in
those years, respectively.
FMD affects all cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, hogs and goats, causing
blisters on the feet and mouth of livestock and sometimes leading to death. It
can be spread via air, feed and imported farm products that have not been
sterilized. Humans, though not affected by the disease, can be carriers.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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