YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea - Eighth Army is actively working to assist its allies in containing an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease which is occurring on the Korean Peninsula for the second year in a row.
"We are closely coordinating with our ROK Army counterparts to ensure our activities do not inadvertently spread this disease," said 8th Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. John D. Johnson.
Efforts to contain the disease are even more important during winter, as the virus lives longer in the cold.
According to Johnson, helicopter and vehicle traffic can carry or blow infected soil from known areas of contamination, contributing to the disease's propagation.
"We are complying with the requests of the Republic of Korea to limit or curtail certain training activities that may contribute to the spread of this disease," said Johnson.
Civilian traffic has also been impacted by the outbreak. The ROK government has established numerous vehicle spray points around affected areas. The spray points, manned by ROK soldiers, resemble a car wash, rinsing off potentially contaminated soil from each vehicle's undercarriage.
"To assist our Korean friends, Soldiers and their families should avoid traveling through infected areas as much as possible," said Johnson. "And if you do, be patient with delays caused by the spray stations, and comply with the directions you receive from the ROK soldiers manning those stations."
Foot-and-mouth disease, also known as hoof-and-mouth disease, is highly contagious. It primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cows, pigs, sheep and goats, but is not a threat to humans.
"The risk to humans is very low, as they are rarely infected by this virus," said Col. Ronald E. Smith, the 8th Army Surgeon. "If infected, humans do not display symptoms of the disease."
Smith said the disease should not be confused with the similarly-named hand, foot and mouth disease which can affect humans, but is caused by a different virus and is not a current concern in Korea.
Smith also added that eating infected meat will not harm humans.
"The virus is destroyed by stomach acid when infected products are ingested," said Smith.
According to Col. Thomas E. Honadel, veterinarian and commander of the 106th Medical Detachment, pets are generally also immune to the disease.
"Cats and dogs are not affected by foot-and-mouth disease," said Honadel. "It only affects animals with cloven hooves."
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