New Outbreak of Foot-and-mouth Disease in S.Korea

Three new cases of foot and mouth disease have been reported in S.Korea, the environment ministry said on Monday, bringing up the total to 56 since the country's worst outbreak began a month ago.

The agriculture ministry said the new cases were on cattle and pig farms in Yangpyeong county, 55 kilometres (34 miles) east of Seoul, the western port city of Incheon and the southeastern county of Cheongsong.

Death Toll From Foot and Mouth Disease in China Doubles
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"About 389,000 animals have been or will soon be culled around the country... numerically, this is the worst outbreak we have ever had," said a ministry official who declined to be named.

The ministry estimates losses related to the disease at around 400 billion won (347.5 million dollars).

About 160,000 animals were slaughtered during the previous worst outbreak in 2002.

Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak in South Korea
More than 150 cows were slaughtered in the South Korean town of Pocheon as health officials scrambled to prevent another outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease

In a desperate attempt to curtail the spread of the disease, the government on Saturday launched vaccinations for some 56,000 cattle -- risking a longer export ban from overseas.

It takes longer for a country that launches vaccinations to regain disease-free status from the World Organization for Animal Health than when the disease is curbed solely by culling.

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A highly contagious disease especially harmful to young children has killed 50 people in China this year, the health ministry said Friday as it warned the worst was yet to come.

The battle is facing another obstacle -- a cold snap that froze disinfectant and spraying equipment. "The situation was pretty hard over the weekend, but it's getting better," said the ministry official.

Some events have been canceled for fear of spreading the outbreak.

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Claims Three Lives in China
Chinese state media is reporting that the hand, foot and mouth disease virus has killed three children in the country so far.

The southeastern province of North Gyeongsang, which has lost most livestock during the latest outbreak, decided to scrap most state-organised fairs and festivals.

President Lee Myung-Bak on Sunday urged officials to provide "maximum support" to farmers and health officials fighting the disease, including offering gloves, earmuffs and other cold weather gear.

Previous outbreaks in January and April this year cost more than 250 billion won and left nearly 50,000 animals slaughtered.

Foot-and-mouth disease affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, deer, goats and sheep.

Source-AFP