More than three million pigs and cows died of foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease last winter. This dealt irreparable damage to farmers. Korea should take steps to avoid a repeat of the disaster as winter nears. The government belatedly detected 1,500 cows and pigs with FMD virus. They could easily spread the deadly disease without proper remedial action. Worrisome is the fact that the infected animals are scattered across the country.
Authorities should take precautionary steps to prevent overseas travelers from carrying the virus during the winter season. Special care is necessary against tourists visiting Vietnam, Taiwan and China where there have been FMD outbreaks.
The government must press farmers to have their animals vaccinated. Many are reluctant to do this out of concern that vaccinated pigs might miscarry.
Few underestimate the seriousness of the damage FMD does. Last year, the economic loss hovered around three trillion won. If an epidemic takes hold again this winter, many farmers will sustain damages they cannot cope with. The government should be fully prepared against the disease, including active surveillance and quarantine.
Last year’s FMD crisis was a man-made disaster. Now man-made precautionary measures must be taken. Repeating the same mistake would be a political minefield for the ruling camp ahead of next year’s National Assembly and presidential elections.