Chungnam Restricts Vehicle Access to Migratory Bird Habitats Starting This Month

The winter migratory swan is staying at Damyang Lake. Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy (Naepo) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Chungnam Province will restrict the entry of livestock vehicles traveling to and from migratory bird habitats within the province starting this month. This measure is two months earlier than last year and is a preemptive action to suppress the potential outbreak of the globally high-pathogenic avian influenza (AI).

According to the province on the 4th, the number of AI cases reported worldwide recently is 507, indicating that the possibility of AI transmission through migratory bird movement is higher than ever.

This year, Europe has already reported 331 AI cases, and 146 cases of highly pathogenic AI have been reported in neighboring Asian countries such as China and Vietnam.

Accordingly, the province plans to restrict the entry of livestock vehicles to 19 local migratory bird habitats until March next year to preemptively block AI transmission routes between wild birds (migratory birds), livestock-related vehicles, and poultry farms.

Last month, the province established and applied strengthened control standards reflecting the geographical conditions of the migratory bird habitats, conducted a pilot operation of livestock vehicle control, and analyzed the movement status of livestock-related vehicles.

Based on this, it was concluded (estimated) that an average of 23 livestock-related vehicles per day passed through roads around the migratory bird habitats, and when linked to epidemiological investigation results from past highly pathogenic AI outbreaks, livestock vehicles accounted for the highest proportion as the source of virus introduction to affected farms.

In this regard, the province sent text messages to owners of poultry-related livestock vehicles to restrict their entry to migratory bird habitats.

Additionally, the province will continue to promote detours for livestock vehicles and restricted entry sections for each migratory bird habitat through the installation of banners and signboards.

Im Seung-beom, head of the Animal Quarantine and Hygiene Division, said, “Poultry farmers are urged to thoroughly disinfect vehicles entering farms,” and added, “Especially, strict disinfection of drivers’ hands, shoes, and clothing should be observed.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.