Rapid "Lumpy Skin Disease Precision Diagnosis" Now Conducted at 13 Provincial Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratories

Transfer of Testing Authority: "Quarantine Headquarters to Local Governments"
Training and Assessment Conducted for Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratories Ahead of Authority Transfer

Lumpy skin disease precision diagnosis will now be conducted promptly nationwide. With the authority for Lumpy skin disease precision diagnosis transferred to local governments, a total of 13 provincial Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratories are now able to perform precision diagnosis.

On September 28, the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency announced that it had conducted training and assessment for Lumpy skin disease precision diagnosis for 11 provincial Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratories, transferred testing authority, and thereby enabled all 13 provincial laboratories nationwide to carry out precision diagnosis.

Training on Lumpyskin Precise Diagnosis Conducted for Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratories in 11 Provinces and Cities. Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency

Lumpy skin disease is an infectious disease in cattle, transmitted by blood-sucking insects such as biting flies and mosquitoes. Infected animals can show symptoms such as high fever, widespread skin nodules, and loss of appetite. The disease was first confirmed in Korea in October 2023. Up to now, the government has managed it as a Category 1 infectious livestock disease under the Infectious Livestock Diseases Control Act. However, considering the low mortality rate of below 10% and the fact that the disease is preventable through vaccination, management will be converted to Category 2 from October 1, 2026.

Previously, Lumpy skin disease precision diagnosis was only possible at the Quarantine Headquarters and at two local government precision diagnostic institutions (Gyeonggi and Chungnam provinces). However, with an increase in suspected cases reported at slaughterhouses, and with the Quarantine Headquarters facing a surge in testing demand for isolated or depopulation-deferred animals and environmental samples, the need arose to establish a more rapid, local government-centered testing system.

In response, the Quarantine Headquarters conducted training and assessment for Lumpy skin disease precision diagnosis with 11 provincial Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratories and transferred the testing authority. The training, held on September 14, focused on how to use the diagnostic kit to distinguish between vaccine virus and field virus, and how to interpret test results. The subsequent assessment, conducted until September 17, evaluated each institution’s ability to discern single or mixed infections of vaccine virus and field virus. All 11 laboratories passed, receiving 'qualified' status by accurately identifying both the vaccine and field viruses.

Since September 21, a total of 13 provincial Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratories, including the existing Gyeonggi and Chungnam facilities, have been conducting Lumpy skin disease precision diagnosis. The Quarantine Headquarters stated that, with the transfer of testing authority, it will continue to provide training and assessments to ensure the reliability and consistency of Lumpy skin disease precision diagnosis nationwide.

Choi Jeongrok, Director General of the Quarantine Headquarters, said, "Now that the authority for Lumpy skin disease precision diagnosis testing has been transferred to local governments, we expect an even faster response to disease control. The Quarantine Headquarters will continue to analyze the full genome and characteristics of the Lumpy skin disease virus and share information so that this can be utilized in epidemiological investigations and research."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.