Strengthened Quarantine Measures Such as Culling and Epidemiological Investigation: [Journalist Kim Kyung-eun, Edaily] Cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) have been detected at poultry farms in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, and Buan, North Jeolla Province. These are the 22nd and 23rd confirmed cases this winter.
The Avian Influenza Central Accident Recovery Headquarters announced on the 10th that cases of the H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic AI were confirmed at a broiler breeder farm in Dangjin City, South Chungcheong Province, and a broiler duck farm in Buan County, North Jeolla Province.
To prevent further spread, the Central Task Force is conducting culling at the affected farms and carrying out epidemiological investigations. They have issued a 24-hour movement restriction order for related poultry farms, livestock facilities, and livestock vehicles. Intensive testing is also being conducted on 69 poultry farms within the quarantine zones of the two affected sites.
The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency will conduct special inspections from the 13th to the 24th of this month, focusing on large-scale broiler breeder farms nationwide. In 204 intensive layer farm complexes and large-scale layer farms that raise more than 100,000 chickens, measures to minimize livestock vehicle epidemiology have been implemented. This includes using dedicated vehicles or limiting vehicles to visiting only one farm per day until the end of this month.
Choi Jung-rok, Director of Quarantine Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, stated, “In addition to last month’s cases, four more instances of highly pathogenic AI have occurred this month, and the affected areas have expanded to nine cities and provinces and 15 districts.” He added, “We urge local governments to recheck access control to migratory bird habitats and road disinfection.”