The Central Accident Management Headquarters for Livestock Infectious Diseases, led by Minister Song Mi-ryeong of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, convened on February 2, 2024, to assess and strengthen responses to recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), African swine fever (ASF), and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The meeting included local governments and related agencies, focusing on comprehensive measures to prevent further spread. The urgency follows the first FMD case of the year in Incheon, multiple ASF cases in January, and a surge in HPAI detections among poultry and wild birds. The government aims to minimize economic losses and protect public health through enhanced biosecurity. These efforts are especially critical ahead of increased movement during the Lunar New Year.
The policy impacts livestock farmers, agricultural workers, local governments, and related industries across South Korea. Specific measures include emergency vaccination in affected regions, weekly clinical inspections of farms, and intensified disinfection of vehicles and facilities. For ASF, all pig farms and related facilities are undergoing concentrated cleaning and environmental checks, with restrictions on the movement of potentially contaminated items. In the case of HPAI, special inspections and one-on-one monitoring are being extended in high-density poultry areas, and multilingual educational materials are distributed to all farm workers, including foreign employees.
Implementation began in late January 2024, following the detection of FMD on January 30 and ASF cases throughout the month. Emergency vaccination and movement restrictions were enacted immediately, with ongoing surveillance and disinfection scheduled through February, especially around the Lunar New Year (February 14–18). The government is coordinating with the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of National Defense for wild boar control and border area disinfection. Enhanced measures, such as expanded vehicle disinfection and increased wild boar trapping, are being maintained in border regions and high-risk zones.
Frequently asked questions include: What are the main diseases being targeted? The policy addresses FMD, ASF, and HPAI, which have shown recent outbreaks in various regions. How is the government preventing further spread? Actions include emergency vaccination, regular inspections, disinfection, and educational campaigns in multiple languages. What should farmers do? Farmers are required to follow strict biosecurity protocols, participate in vaccination programs, and ensure all workers are trained in disease prevention measures.
Metaqsol opinion: The South Korean government’s comprehensive approach to livestock disease control is both timely and necessary, given the recent surge in FMD, ASF, and HPAI cases. The integration of emergency vaccination, enhanced disinfection, and multilingual education addresses the diverse needs of the agricultural sector. The focus on high-risk periods and regions, as well as inter-ministerial cooperation, strengthens the overall response. Ongoing vigilance and strict adherence to biosecurity protocols by all stakeholders will be crucial for sustained disease prevention.