Jeonnam Animal Sanitation Lab: Sorum Piskin Reinforcement
Jeonnam Province Boosts Lumpy Skin Disease Monitoring
Table of Contents
- Jeonnam Province Boosts Lumpy Skin Disease Monitoring
- Jeonnam Province’s Fight Against Lumpy Skin Disease: A Q&A
- What is Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD)?
- What’s Happening in Jeonnam Province Regarding LSD?
- Why is Jeonnam Province Boosting its LSD monitoring?
- When Does the Heightened Monitoring Begin?
- How Does Jeonnam Province Plan to Monitor Cattle for LSD?
- What is Vaccine Antibody Surveillance, and why is It Important?
- How Many Animals Will Be Tested in the Surveillance Program?
- What Areas Are Targeted for Purposeful Surveillance?
- What Does Statistical Surveillance Involve?
- Have There Been Any previous Outbreaks in Jeonnam Province?
- What Results Were Observed in the Previous Year’s Low-Risk Area Testing?
- What is the Timeline of LSD Outbreaks in South Korea?
- What Measures Do Officials Recommend to Prevent LSD?
- Summary of Jeonnam Province’s LSD Monitoring Efforts
GANGJIN, South Korea (April 11, 2025) — The Jeonnam Animal Sanitation Laboratory is ramping up its monitoring efforts against Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in cattle, initiating enhanced vaccine antibody surveillance and proactive virus detection on farms, officials announced Friday.
Heightened Surveillance Begins in April
The intensified monitoring, set to begin this month, coincides with the increased activity of insects that transmit the virus. LSD, a viral disease affecting cattle, manifests through symptoms such as high fever and skin nodules.
Vaccine Effectiveness Under Scrutiny
A key component of the program involves assessing the effectiveness of LSD vaccinations. The laboratory will conduct vaccine antibody monitoring tests to evaluate immunity levels in cattle on local farms. Last year, 2,356 animals on 225 farms underwent testing at two intervals following vaccination. This year, the program expands significantly, aiming to test 6,468 animals across 616 farms.
Targeted and Statistical surveillance
The province employs a two-pronged approach to LSD surveillance: purposeful and statistical. Purposeful surveillance focuses on high-risk areas, specifically counties that experienced outbreaks in 2023 and 2024, as well as medium-risk zones along the west coast and border regions. This targeted monitoring will encompass 3,180 animals from 636 farms during the peak insect activity period from April to November.
Statistical surveillance provides a broader overview, conducted year-round on 1,095 animals from 219 farms in low-risk areas to confirm the continued absence of the virus. In the previous year, all 126 animals tested from farms in Muan and Sinan returned negative results.
Official urges Vigilance
Jeong Ji-yeong, director of the Jeonnam Animal Hygiene Testing center, emphasized the importance of proactive measures. “to prevent the recurrence of Lumpy Skin Disease, active reporting by livestock farms and strict compliance with quarantine rules are most important,” Jeong said. “We will do our best to detect the virus early through continuous farm surveillance.”
Background: Lumpy Skin Disease in South Korea
The first outbreak of LSD in South Korea occurred in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province, on Oct. 19, 2023. Since then, there have been 107 cases nationwide in 2023 and 24 cases in 2024. Jeonnam Province has seen no new cases since the initial outbreaks in 2023 (Muan and Sinan) and 2024 (Yeongam, Yeosu, and Goheung).
Jeonnam Province’s Fight Against Lumpy Skin Disease: A Q&A
What is Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD)?
Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a viral disease that primarily affects cattle. It’s characterized by symptoms like:
High fever
Skin nodules (lumps)
What’s Happening in Jeonnam Province Regarding LSD?
The Jeonnam Animal Sanitation Laboratory in South Korea is increasing its monitoring efforts against LSD in cattle. This includes:
Enhanced vaccine antibody surveillance
Proactive virus detection on local farms
This increased activity was announced on Friday, April 11, 2025.
Why is Jeonnam Province Boosting its LSD monitoring?
The province is taking proactive steps to prevent a recurrence of LSD. This is especially important because insects that transmit the virus are more active during this time of year.
When Does the Heightened Monitoring Begin?
The intensified monitoring is scheduled to start in April.
How Does Jeonnam Province Plan to Monitor Cattle for LSD?
Jeonnam Province employs a two-pronged approach:
Purposeful Surveillance: This focuses on high-risk areas, specifically counties that experienced LSD outbreaks in 2023 and 2024, and a medium-risk region.
Statistical Surveillance: This provides a broader overview of low-risk areas to confirm the absence of the virus.
What is Vaccine Antibody Surveillance, and why is It Important?
Vaccine antibody surveillance involves testing cattle to assess the effectiveness of LSD vaccinations.The laboratory will collect samples to evaluate the immunity levels in cattle. This is critical to understand how well the vaccines are working and to prevent future outbreaks.
How Many Animals Will Be Tested in the Surveillance Program?
The program has significantly expanded this year:
Last Year: 2,356 animals on 225 farms were tested.
This Year: 6,468 animals across 616 farms will be tested.
What Areas Are Targeted for Purposeful Surveillance?
Purposeful surveillance targets:
Counties that had LSD outbreaks in 2023 and 2024.
Medium-risk zones along the west coast and border regions.
This targeted monitoring will cover 3,180 animals from 636 farms during the peak insect activity period from April to November.
What Does Statistical Surveillance Involve?
Statistical surveillance involves year-round testing of 1,095 animals from 219 farms located in low-risk areas. This is done to confirm the continued absence of the virus in these regions.
Have There Been Any previous Outbreaks in Jeonnam Province?
Yes, Jeonnam Province has experienced outbreaks:
2023: Muan and Sinan
2024: Yeongam, Yeosu, and Goheung
though, as of the current reporting, no new cases have occurred as these initial outbreaks.
What Results Were Observed in the Previous Year’s Low-Risk Area Testing?
In the previous year, all 126 animals tested from farms in Muan and Sinan returned negative results for LSD.
What is the Timeline of LSD Outbreaks in South Korea?
The primary source details the following:
October 19, 2023: The first LSD outbreak in South Korea occurred in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province.
2023: 107 cases were reported nationwide.
2024: 24 cases were reported nationwide.
What Measures Do Officials Recommend to Prevent LSD?
Jeong Ji-yeong, director of the Jeonnam Animal Hygiene Testing center, emphasized the importance of:
Active reporting by livestock farms.
Strict adherence to quarantine rules.
Continuous farm surveillance.
Summary of Jeonnam Province’s LSD Monitoring Efforts
Hear’s a concise overview:
| Surveillance Type | Focus | Animals Tested (Approx.) | Farms (Approx.) | Timeframe | Risk Level |
| :—————- | :———————————————————– | :———————– | :————– | :—————————————– | :————— |
| Purposeful | High-risk areas (outbreak history, specific regions) | 3,180 | 636 | April to November (peak insect activity) | High/Medium |
| Statistical | Low-risk areas to confirm absence of virus | 1,095 | 219 | Year-round | Low |
| Vaccine Antibody | Assessment of LSD vaccine effectiveness | 6,468 | 616 | (Testing will occur throughout the year.) | Local Farms (All Risk) |