SEOUL - South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that the country has successfully vaccinated 98 percent of its cattle population against lumpy skin disease (LSD). This achievement is part of the government's intensive vaccination campaign launched last month.
According to Yonhap News Agency, more than 3.9 million out of the country's approximately 4.08 million cows have been vaccinated to protect them against LSD. The government initiated the campaign following the country's first-ever case of LSD, which was reported on October 20. The plan aims to vaccinate all cattle by Friday, with antibodies expected to develop in the cattle around three weeks post-vaccination.
As of now, South Korea has confirmed 84 cases of LSD nationwide, including three new cases reported on Tuesday. Authorities are currently conducting an in-depth analysis of four suspected cases. LSD is a highly infectious disease that affects cattle and buffalo, causing symptoms such as skin lesions, fever, loss of appetite, and can lead to reduced milk production and even death. The disease is transmitted to these animals through mosquitoes and other blood-feeding insects but does not affect humans.