South Korea has last week confirmed the outbreak of an extremely contagious foot-and-mouth disease on a cattle farm and has stopped the exports of pork and beef.

The agricultural ministry reported that out of 185 cows at a farm in Pocheon, 6 tested positive for the virus. Pocheon is located about 30 kilometres northeast of Seoul.

This disease only affects animals with cloven hooves like cattle, pigs, deer, goats and sheep. It is an airborne disease and spreads rapidly among animals with cloven hooves. The chances of humans getting infected are very rare.

Journalists were informed by Lee chang-Buhm, the bureau of the livestock ministry that all animals with cloven hooves located between a radius of 500 metres from the affected farm will be immediately removed from the rest of the herd.

He also told that the exports of these animals will also be halted until any further notice.

South Korea had reportedly exported about 13,000 tonnes of swine products, mostly intestines, skin and lard.

Lee said, “A total of 346 milk cows, 1,500 pigs, 30 deer and 12 goats were being raised at seven farms within the 500-metre radius.”

He added that restrictions have been enforced on the movement to help contain the disease within three-kilometer radius from the contaminated.