SEOUL, Nov. 6 (Yonhap) — The South Korean government has vaccinated over 90 percent of the country’s cattle population against lumpy skin disease (LSD), the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs reported on Monday.
The campaign, which began last month, aimed to inoculate all 4.08 million cows by this coming Friday. As of now, 3.11 million have been vaccinated.
79 cases of the viral disease have been confirmed nationwide, with the most recent case reported in the western city of Dangjin. Authorities are also analyzing two suspected cases.
The number of newly confirmed cases has decreased from over 10 last month to around two from late last week.
“It is too early to say that the virus situation is stable, as we need to consider variants and other factors,” senior ministry official Ahn Yong-duk said. “But I think the vaccination campaign would help us better manage the situation, and the government will continue all-out efforts to stem the spread of the disease,” he added.
LSD does not affect humans, but can cause skin lesions, fever, and loss of appetite in cattle and buffalo, which can lead to a drop in milk production or death. It is spread through mosquitoes and other blood-feeding insects.
A cow is vaccinated against lumpy skin disease at a farm in the southwestern city of Gwangju on Nov. 1, 2023, in this photo provided by a ward office of the city. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
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