- Recognized as a country free from an infectious disease for shrimps by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) -

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Minister CHO, Seung-Hwan) announced that the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has recognized Korea’s status as a country freedom** from Infectious Hypodermal and Haematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHHNV)* that causes serious infections in shrimps.

* Instances of the infections are mainly observed in the Americas, Asia, and Oceania regions. Due to its highly infectious nature and the risk of population collapse, the WOAH has designated the virus as an infectious disease that requires management at the national level.

** A country recognized as safe from a specific infectious disease as there are no observed instances of such aquatic infectious diseases

 The latest recognition has secured Korea the status of a country free from a total of four aquatic infectious diseases, along with infectious salmon anemia (2019), Gyrodactylus salaris (2020), and abalone herpes-like virus infection (2021). Among 182 member countries of the WOAH, Korea has now become the only nation to have been declared free from four aquatic infectious diseases.

 A thorough investigation of 900 domestic shrimp farms since 2011 to first half of 2022 has confirmed no instances of Infectious Hypodermal and Haematopoietic Necrosis. Based on Korea’s clean record and in recognition of its aquatic biosafety and quarantine system, the WOAH has granted Korea the status of a country free from infection with IHHNV.

 Since obtaining its status as an IHHNV-free country, Korean shrimp farms will be waived from in-depth examinations for IHHNV when exporting their produce to other countries.

 Deputy Minister Lee Gyeong-Gyu of the Fisheries Policy Office at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries commented, “the advanced level of Korea’s management technology for aquatic infectious diseases was showcased to the international community with this latest recognition of its status as an IHHNV-free nation.” He added, “(the Ministry) will continue to strive to expand the scope of Korea’s freedom from aquatic disease infections for major local aquafarm species.”

□ Korea’s Status

○ Obtained country freedom status for three aquatic infectious diseases* to date

 * Infectious salmon anemia (2019), Gyrodactylus salaris (2020), and abalone herpes-like virus infection (2021)

○ Obtained country freedom status for three livestock infectious diseases, contributing to border quarantine control

- African horse sickness (AHS), peste des petits ruminants (PPR), and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)

 * Recurrences of avian influenza (AI) in 2020 and foot and mouth disease in 2018 resulted in the withdrawal of Korea’s country freedom status

□ Status of the international community

○ In 2008, four nations, including New Caledonia, obtained country freedom status for a total of eight aquatic infectious diseases

- Brunei (4 shrimp species, 2010), New Caledonia (2 shrimp species, 2008/2016), and Peru (2 shrimp species, 2020) obtained their respective country freedom status from aquatic infectious diseases