Lumpy skin disease detected at cattle farm in North Jeolla's Sunchang-gun

Lumpy skin disease has been detected at a Hanwoo cattle farm in Sunchang-gun, North Jeolla Province. The government issued a nationwide risk alert and launched a farm-centered response — the first confirmed case since authorities began managing the disease under a lower-tier classification this year.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Saturday that a cattle farm in Sunchang-gun raising eight head had reported symptoms of skin nodules, and subsequent laboratory testing confirmed a positive result for lumpy skin disease.

This is the first confirmed case since the government began managing lumpy skin disease in line with Class 2 livestock disease protocols through proactive administrative measures starting in May. Under the new approach, authorities will not impose a movement standstill or establish a quarantine zone — measures previously required under Class 1 disease protocols — and will instead focus containment efforts on the affected farm.

The ministry dispatched an initial response team to the site to restrict farm access, limit movement and isolate infected animals. A decision on culling infected cattle will be deferred for up to 70 days, with the outcome determined based on periodic laboratory test results.

The government issued a nationwide lumpy skin disease risk alert and said it would work with producer groups — including the Korea Hanwoo Association and the Korea Dairy and Beef Farmers Association — to step up vector insect control and farm disinfection nationwide.

The ministry completed vaccination of 406,000 head at small farms in 40 high-risk cities and counties along the west coast and border areas through June. An additional 880,000 doses were supplied to farms that requested them. However, Sunchang-gun, where the current case was detected, was not among the designated high-risk areas.

Lee Dong-sik, director general of the ministry's Animal Disease Control Bureau, urged all cattle farmers nationwide to strictly follow basic biosecurity measures, including disinfecting vehicles entering farms and controlling vector insects inside and outside livestock facilities. "Particularly in the Sunchang area, we will strengthen voluntary vaccination and disinfection around farms to prevent further spread," he said.