Foot-and-mouth disease hits pig, cattle farms in North Gyeongsang Province; authorities launch emergency response

North Gyeongsang Province and Yecheon-gun are mobilizing all available resources to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease after outbreaks were confirmed at pig and cattle farms in Yecheon, with authorities imposing a temporary livestock movement ban and launching emergency vaccinations.

According to the Central Foot-and-Mouth Disease Accident Management Headquarters, FMD antigens were detected during an environmental inspection at a slaughterhouse in Yeongju on June 25. Follow-up tests on pig farms epidemiologically linked to that finding, as well as farms within 500 meters, confirmed positive antigen results at one pig farm in Yecheon — affecting 14 animals — and five cattle farms in the area, affecting 24 animals.

It is the first FMD outbreak in North Gyeongsang Province in 11 years, since March 31, 2015.

Authorities immediately deployed initial response teams from the Livestock Health and Veterinary Support Headquarters upon confirmation of the disease, placing a full ban on the movement of people and vehicles entering the affected farms.

The crisis alert level was raised to Serious — the highest tier — for Yecheon and six neighboring cities and counties: Andong, Yeongju, Sangju, Mungyeong, Uiseong and Danyang in North Chungcheong Province. All other areas were placed on Caution status.

A 48-hour standstill order took effect at 10 a.m. Thursday for cloven-hoofed animals, livestock workers and livestock vehicles in Yecheon and adjacent municipalities.

Five initial response teams were deployed to cull infected animals at the affected farms and set up emergency movement-control checkpoints at farm entrances and key access roads to prevent further spread.

Burial of the 38 infected cattle and pigs is scheduled for Saturday.

Nationwide, there have been 19 FMD cases in 2025 and nine so far in 2026. This year's cases include one in Ganghwa (Korean native cattle), two in Goyang (Korean native cattle), and now six in Yecheon — one at a pig farm and five at Korean native cattle farms.

Officials from North Gyeongsang Province and Yecheon-gun urged livestock farmers in the area to complete emergency vaccinations without exception, thoroughly disinfect farm premises, and bar outside visitors and vehicles. "If you notice any suspicious symptoms, please report them immediately," they said.