SEOUL – South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs reported on Monday that the nation has vaccinated more than 90 percent of its cattle population against lumpy skin disease (LSD), suggesting a deceleration in the spread of the viral infection.
According to Yonhap News Agency, over 3.11 million out of 4.08 million cattle have received vaccinations in a campaign that started last month, following the country's first LSD case on October 20. The government's plan targets full vaccination of the cattle population by the end of the week.
Since the initial outbreak, 79 LSD cases have been reported across South Korea, including the most recent one in the western city of Dangjin. The Ministry is also analyzing two suspected instances of the disease.
The frequency of new infections appears to be decreasing, with daily confirmed cases dropping from over ten last month to an average of around two in the past week.
Senior ministry official Ahn Yong-duk cautioned that it is premature to declare the situation fully under control due to concerns about variants and other factors. However, he expressed optimism that the vaccination drive would significantly aid in managing the outbreak. Ahn reaffirmed the government's commitment to exhaustive efforts to halt further spread of LSD.
Lumpy skin disease, while not a risk to human health, is a severe and contagious condition in cattle and buffalo, characterized by nodules on the skin, fever, and a decrease in appetite. This disease can lead to reduced milk yield and potentially fatal outcomes. It is transmitted through vectors like mosquitoes and other blood-feeding insects.