S. Korea helps North curb animal disease

SEOUL, June 18 (UPI) -- South Korea is lending a helping hand to North Korea in a series of efforts toward full reconciliation.

South Korea's health experts have traveled to the North to help the communist country curb an animal disease outbreak.

A group of South Korean experts led by Kim Chang-seob, chief veterinary officer at the Agriculture Ministry, arrived in Pyongyang Monday to meet their counterparts on dealing with a foot-and-mouth disease in the country, Seoul officials said.

During the six-day visit, the 10-member group plans to support North Korea's efforts to cope with the highly contagious animal disease, providing technical assistance on how to operate equipment that can check for antigens and antibodies in animals.

North Korea has reported an outbreak of the animal disease and culled thousands of pigs and cows to try to halt the outbreak.

Foot-and-mouth disease is characterized by blisters in the mouth and on the feet of hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. Although harmless to humans, it can be fatal to animals.