Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok Orders Highest Level Quarantine Measures for Yeongam High Pathogenic AI

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province announced on the 6th that highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) occurred at a meat duck farm in Sijong-myeon, Yeongam-gun on the 5th, and that rapid initial quarantine and the highest level of quarantine measures are being implemented.

Since the first outbreak of highly pathogenic AI at a duck farm in Jeongeup, Jeonbuk on the 26th of last month, this is the third nationwide case following a laying hen farm in Sangju, Gyeongbuk on the 1st, and the first occurrence in Jeonnam in three years.

At the Yeongam duck farm, H5 antigens were detected in an inspection conducted by the Jeonnam Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory on the 4th before shipping ducks to the slaughterhouse.

Subsequently, a detailed examination requested from the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency confirmed on the 5th that it was highly pathogenic AI of the H5N8 type.

Jeonnam Province immediately dispatched livestock quarantine officers and an initial response team to the site upon detection of the AI antigen, implemented farm access control and epidemiological investigations, and swiftly completed preventive culling of 9,800 ducks at the suspected infected farm.

Additionally, preventive culling of approximately 490,000 chickens and ducks at 10 poultry farms within a 3 km radius of the highly pathogenic AI outbreak farm is planned to be completed within the day.

Furthermore, a temporary movement suspension order for all poultry farms, vehicles, and related facilities in the province has been issued until 1 a.m. on the 7th for thorough disinfection.

A quarantine zone has been established within a 10 km radius of the outbreak farm, restricting movement of 44 poultry farms and approximately 1.72 million birds for 30 days, with surveillance and detailed inspections ongoing.

All poultry farms and workers in Yeongam-gun, the outbreak area, will have movement and access completely restricted until the 11th, and a mass inspection will be conducted by the 16th to confirm infection status at 60 affiliated duck farms of the outbreak farm’s company.

Originally, 42 control posts were operating at high-risk meat duck and laying hen farms, but now 26 additional posts have been installed at duck and laying hen farms within 10 km of the outbreak area, and 180 posts at all meat duck farms in the province, strengthening access control and disinfection.

Moreover, poultry farmers are urged to refrain from visiting migratory bird habitats and small streams to prevent the spread of avian influenza, and to thoroughly enforce vehicle and personnel access control and establish lime belts around farms.

They should also pay close attention to disinfection inside and outside the farm, hand sanitization, and changing boots when entering poultry houses, and immediately report any abnormalities in chickens or ducks to quarantine authorities.

Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam Province, stated, “The outbreak of highly pathogenic AI at the Yeongam duck farm is a very dangerous and serious situation,” and strongly instructed, “Please do your utmost to implement the highest level of quarantine measures to prevent the spread within the province and avoid increasing the burden on residents during the difficult times of COVID-19.”

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