ID :
105492
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 10:29
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/105492
The shortlink copeid
Gov't partially eases restrictions in FMD outbreak areas
SEOUL, Feb. 9 (Yonhap) -- The government said Tuesday it has eased livestock movement restrictions in some areas affected by this year's foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak.
The farm ministry said the measures will permit 177 farms with 28,000 cattle and
pigs to sell their animals and conduct other types of transactions that were
barred following the first confirmed outbreak on Jan. 7.
South Korea reported its last outbreak of the highly contagious animal disease on
Jan. 30. FMD has an incubation period of two to 14 days, making it necessary for
animals to be held by farmers and kept off the market if they were exposed to the
illness.
"The lifting of the movement restrictions was authorized after detailed checks on
the farms by experts from the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine
Service," said Lee Sang-soo, head of the ministry's animal health division.
He added that areas that are relatively close to more recent FMD outbreak sites
have been excluded as a precaution.
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. 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.
"The government plans to expand the number of farms that can sell their animals
in the coming days if there are no further outbreaks, although there will be no
drop in decontamination efforts," the official said.
He noted that FDM-causing viruses can survive more than two weeks in animal dung
and certain outdoor areas.
The ministry, meanwhile, said that even as more farms are allowed to move their
livestock, front-line quarantine officials will continue to monitor all farms
across the country and conduct decontaminations.
South Korea was hit twice before by FMD in 2000 and 2002. Losses from the 2000
outbreak centered on cattle and reached 300.6 billion won (US$257.2 million),
while the 2002 outbreak -- which spread through pigs -- cost 143.4 billion won.
The government has declined to give the exact damage figures for the latest
outbreak, but about 5,960 cattle, pigs, goats and deer had been culled as of last
week.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
The farm ministry said the measures will permit 177 farms with 28,000 cattle and
pigs to sell their animals and conduct other types of transactions that were
barred following the first confirmed outbreak on Jan. 7.
South Korea reported its last outbreak of the highly contagious animal disease on
Jan. 30. FMD has an incubation period of two to 14 days, making it necessary for
animals to be held by farmers and kept off the market if they were exposed to the
illness.
"The lifting of the movement restrictions was authorized after detailed checks on
the farms by experts from the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine
Service," said Lee Sang-soo, head of the ministry's animal health division.
He added that areas that are relatively close to more recent FMD outbreak sites
have been excluded as a precaution.
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. 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.
"The government plans to expand the number of farms that can sell their animals
in the coming days if there are no further outbreaks, although there will be no
drop in decontamination efforts," the official said.
He noted that FDM-causing viruses can survive more than two weeks in animal dung
and certain outdoor areas.
The ministry, meanwhile, said that even as more farms are allowed to move their
livestock, front-line quarantine officials will continue to monitor all farms
across the country and conduct decontaminations.
South Korea was hit twice before by FMD in 2000 and 2002. Losses from the 2000
outbreak centered on cattle and reached 300.6 billion won (US$257.2 million),
while the 2002 outbreak -- which spread through pigs -- cost 143.4 billion won.
The government has declined to give the exact damage figures for the latest
outbreak, but about 5,960 cattle, pigs, goats and deer had been culled as of last
week.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
