S. Korea reports first suspected case of pig foot-and-mouth

SEOUL, Jan. 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has reported its first suspected case of pigs infected with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) this year, which could hurt ongoing efforts to contain the highly contagious disease, quarantine officials said Wednesday.

Farm ministry officials said pigs at a farm in Pocheon, 45 kilometers north of
Seoul, started showing FMD-like symptoms including profuse salivation and
bleeding from the nostrils earlier in the day.
The farm is about 2km from where the first outbreak was confirmed on Jan. 7 and
has been under close observation by authorities.
The report marks the 13th suspected case of FMD tallied in the past few weeks, of
which five have been confirmed.
The farm has 1,150 pigs, which veterinarians warn can spread the disease much
faster than cattle.
"Judging by reports from veterinarians on site, the pigs have not contracted FMD
but detailed tests are being carried out by the National Veterinary Research and
Quarantine Service," an official said. He added that before test results are out
quarantine workers will ban movements of animals and vehicles in and out of the
farm.
The disease affects all cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, hogs, goats and
deers, causing blisters on the feet and mouths of livestock and sometimes leading
to death.
FMD 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.
South Korea was hit twice before by FMD outbreaks in 2000 and 2002. Losses from
the 2000 outbreak centered on cattle and caused 300.6 billion won (US$259.5
million) in damages, while the 2002 outbreak cost 143.4 billion won as the
disease spread through pigs.
The government declined to give the exact size of damages incurred in the latest
outbreak, which led to the culling of 3,518 cows, pigs, goats and deers from 38
farms to contain the spread of the disease.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)