High Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in Wild Birds in Icheon, Gyeonggi

The Fourth Confirmed Case This Year...Special Management Initiated Including Access Restrictions to Surrounding Areas

On the 25th of last month, a disinfection vehicle was conducting avian influenza (AI) prevention measures on the roadside in front of a livestock farm in Cheonan, Chungnam.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Minwoo Lee] Highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) has been detected in wild birds in Bokhacheon, Icheon, Gyeonggi Province.

The Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 14th that H5N8-type highly pathogenic AI was confirmed after detailed testing of wild bird capture samples collected from Bokhacheon in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province.

The sample was taken from a mandarin duck captured in Bokhacheon on the 10th. Bokhacheon is located about 13 kilometers (km) north of Cheongmicheon in Yongin, where the H5N8-type highly pathogenic AI antigen had already been detected.

This is the fourth confirmed case of highly pathogenic AI this year. On the 25th of last month, highly pathogenic AI was confirmed in Bonggangcheon, Cheonan, for the first time in two years and eight months. Subsequently, confirmations were made in Cheongmicheon, Yongin (on the 28th of last month), and Byeongcheoncheon, Cheonan (on the 10th of this month).

Immediately after confirming the test results, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs prohibited entry of people and vehicles within a 500-meter (m) radius of the antigen detection site and is monitoring compliance through control posts.

Livestock vehicle entry has been banned in migratory bird habitats within a 10 km radius of the antigen detection site, which includes three cities/counties: Cheonan, Cheongju, and Sejong. Additionally, poultry sales outlets in traditional markets within Icheon City have been ordered to suspend operations until movement restrictions are lifted (21 days from the sample collection date).

Bokhacheon in Icheon and nearby migratory bird habitats (a total of four locations), as well as areas within 3 km on both sides, have been designated as 'AI Special Management Areas' to specially manage the risk zones.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment plans to strengthen detailed investigations and surveillance activities around the detection area according to the 'Wild Bird AI Emergency Action Guidelines.' Surveillance activities will be intensified within a 10 km radius of the antigen detection site, including collecting wild bird feces and carcass samples and assessing species-specific habitats. The ministry will also inspect quarantine conditions at nearby zoos' bird breeding facilities, endangered species restoration centers, and wild bird protection areas. Entry of wild birds to wildlife rescue centers within 500 m of the antigen detection site has also been restricted.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated, "This is a very serious situation that can occur at any time in poultry farms nationwide," urging farmers to maintain heightened vigilance, carefully observe any abnormalities in poultry, and strictly adhere to quarantine rules. The Ministry of Environment also requested, "When visiting migratory bird habitats, thoroughly practice personal hygiene such as disinfection and wearing masks, avoid contact with wild bird carcasses, and immediately report to authorities if found."

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