The Korean government is implementing public control measures as the tomato brown rugose fruit virus spreads among domestic farms.
On November 9, the Rural Development Administration (RDA) held a meeting chaired by Deputy Administrator Kim Sang-kyung to discuss measures to prevent the spread of the virus. The RDA announced on November 10 that it would proceed with public control efforts.
The tomato brown rugose fruit virus is a plant virus primarily affecting tomatoes and peppers, classified as a quarantine pest. Infected plants exhibit symptoms such as yellowing leaves, mottling, and narrow, needle-like leaves. Fruits develop brown spots, wrinkles, and cracks.
The virus was first detected on October 20 in Gimje, North Jeolla Province, and cases have since been confirmed in regions including South Chungcheong, South Gyeongsang, and Busan. The virus spreads rapidly through contact with hands, tools, and clothing during farming activities, as well as through infected seedlings or contaminated nutrient solutions.
The RDA has mandated that confirmed infected facilities be sealed off by greenhouse units, with all plants, products, and substrates incinerated. Disinfection of the interior and exterior of the facilities is required, and the removal of plants, tools, and distribution boxes is prohibited. Access for workers is also restricted.
Whether crops can be replanted after control measures will depend on the results of virus residue tests. Soil-based farms will undergo testing four weeks after disinfection, while hydroponic farms will be tested two weeks later. If the virus is detected in hydroponic farms, a re-disinfection will be conducted, followed by retesting one week later.
Infected farms will be monitored for three years. The government will provide support for control and replanting costs, with specific criteria to be determined later this month.
On November 10, the RDA informed agricultural technology centers and relevant agencies in each province about the public control methods and established response teams at central and local rural development institutions. Daily checks on the outbreak situation and control measures will be conducted.
An emergency survey of tomato farms nationwide will be conducted until November 19. Epidemiological investigations will also be carried out in affected farms and related nurseries in collaboration with the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency.
Farmers are urged to adhere to preventive measures, including using healthy seeds and seedlings, disinfecting tools, prohibiting shared use of shipping boxes, and restricting access to outsiders. If any suspicious symptoms are observed, farmers should not move the affected plants but isolate them and report to the local agricultural technology center or agricultural technology institute.
Kim Sang-kyung, Deputy Administrator of the RDA, stated, "We will do our utmost to swiftly implement public control measures to prevent further spread. We also ask farmers to follow preventive guidelines, such as disinfecting tools, and to report any suspicious symptoms promptly to the nearest agricultural technology center."
On November 9, the Rural Development Administration (RDA) held a meeting chaired by Deputy Administrator Kim Sang-kyung to discuss measures to prevent the spread of the virus. The RDA announced on November 10 that it would proceed with public control efforts.
The tomato brown rugose fruit virus is a plant virus primarily affecting tomatoes and peppers, classified as a quarantine pest. Infected plants exhibit symptoms such as yellowing leaves, mottling, and narrow, needle-like leaves. Fruits develop brown spots, wrinkles, and cracks.
The virus was first detected on October 20 in Gimje, North Jeolla Province, and cases have since been confirmed in regions including South Chungcheong, South Gyeongsang, and Busan. The virus spreads rapidly through contact with hands, tools, and clothing during farming activities, as well as through infected seedlings or contaminated nutrient solutions.
The RDA has mandated that confirmed infected facilities be sealed off by greenhouse units, with all plants, products, and substrates incinerated. Disinfection of the interior and exterior of the facilities is required, and the removal of plants, tools, and distribution boxes is prohibited. Access for workers is also restricted.
Whether crops can be replanted after control measures will depend on the results of virus residue tests. Soil-based farms will undergo testing four weeks after disinfection, while hydroponic farms will be tested two weeks later. If the virus is detected in hydroponic farms, a re-disinfection will be conducted, followed by retesting one week later.
Infected farms will be monitored for three years. The government will provide support for control and replanting costs, with specific criteria to be determined later this month.
On November 10, the RDA informed agricultural technology centers and relevant agencies in each province about the public control methods and established response teams at central and local rural development institutions. Daily checks on the outbreak situation and control measures will be conducted.
An emergency survey of tomato farms nationwide will be conducted until November 19. Epidemiological investigations will also be carried out in affected farms and related nurseries in collaboration with the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency.
Farmers are urged to adhere to preventive measures, including using healthy seeds and seedlings, disinfecting tools, prohibiting shared use of shipping boxes, and restricting access to outsiders. If any suspicious symptoms are observed, farmers should not move the affected plants but isolate them and report to the local agricultural technology center or agricultural technology institute.
Kim Sang-kyung, Deputy Administrator of the RDA, stated, "We will do our utmost to swiftly implement public control measures to prevent further spread. We also ask farmers to follow preventive guidelines, such as disinfecting tools, and to report any suspicious symptoms promptly to the nearest agricultural technology center."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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