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S.Korea raises foot-and-mouth alert to highest, stops moving livestock

Xinhua, February 9, 2017 Adjust font size:

South Korea's agriculture ministry on Thursday raised its foot-and-mouth disease alert to the highest level for the first time in seven years, stopping the moves of all livestock across the country.

The four-tier alert system was lifted to the highest as two types of foot-and-mouth diseases were simultaneously found in the country for the first time, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

The first case of infection was reported on Sunday, and three more cases were discovered since then. Among the seven types of foot-and-mouth disease, two were discovered at the same time for the first time here.

It marked the first time since 2010 that the ministry raised the alert level to "serious."

From November 2010 to April 2011, thousands of foot-and-mouth infections were discovered across the country, leading to the culling of about 3.48 million cows and hogs.

Under the highest alert, all of 86 livestock markets will temporarily be closed nationwide, with the moves of living cattle and hogs to be banned immediately. Additional disinfecting facilities will be placed further, according to the ministry. Endit