South Korea reported 38 confirmed cases of lumpy skin disease (LSD) on Thursday, one week after the initial outbreak of the viral infection, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Nine more cases were added the day before, and seven additional suspected cases are currently under investigation.
In response to the nationwide occurrence, the government has launched a vaccination program to immunize all cattle by early next month. LSD, which does not pose a threat to humans, is a contagious disease that causes fever, skin lesions, and a decrease in appetite, often leading to a decrease in milk production and sometimes death. Mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects spread the virus among cattle and buffalo.
It takes around three weeks for vaccinated cattle to develop immunity to the disease, according to officials. An image of an official administering a vaccine for LSD to cows at a farm in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province, on October 23, 2023, is included with the article.