Sejong, Agricultural authorities in South Korea launched a nationwide pest control campaign against blood-feeding insects amid growing concerns over the spread of lumpy skin disease among cattle, officials said.

The program, which will run through November 10, followed the possibility that mosquitoes or other insects that were transported by air current or ships, may have been responsible for Korea’s first-ever outbreak of the viral infection on October 20, Yonhap News Agency reported.

So far, South Korea has confirmed 74 cases of the disease, including four from Wednesday. Authorities are investigating one suspected case as well.

The government also plans to complete its vaccination program by November 10, and it typically takes around three weeks for cattle to develop antibodies.

The disease, which does not affect humans, is highly infectious, causing skin lesions, fever, and loss of appetite, often leading to a fall in milk production and even death.

Source: Bahrain News Agency