Outbreaks and Diagnosis of Foot‐and‐Mouth Disease Serotype O in the Republic of Korea, April–June 2010

Summary Thirteen outbreaks of foot‐and‐mouth disease ( FMD ) were reported in pigs and cattle in K orea between 8 A pril and 4 J une 2010. The FMD virus ( FMDV ) isolates were of serotype O , indicating that they were related to the virus strains of the S outheast A sia topotype that are circulating in E ast A sian countries. Animals carrying the viruses were identified by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction ( RT‐PCR ) during a 29‐day period between 8 A pril and 6 M ay, 2010. Prior to this outbreak, these FMDV s had not been detected in K orea and may therefore have been introduced from neighbouring countries into G anghwa Island and subsequently spread inland to other areas, including G impo, C hungju and C heongyang. Tests conducted to lift restrictions on animal movements lead to detection of two additional FMD ‐positive farms. Through appropriate responses, including swift diagnoses and culling policies, K orea was able to quickly regain its recognition as being free of FMD , without vaccination, by the W orld O rganization for A nimal H ealth ( OIE ) on 27 S eptember 2010.