‘Highly Pathogenic AI’ Outbreak in Naju... Yeongam Farm Affiliate

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) has also occurred in Naju-si, Jeollanam-do.

According to Jeollanam-do on the 9th, highly pathogenic avian influenza was additionally confirmed in the afternoon at a meat duck farm in Seji-myeon, Naju-si.

The farm belongs to an affiliate of the Yeongam-gun farm where highly pathogenic AI recently occurred. During a comprehensive inspection of these farms, AI antigen was detected the day before. Subsequently, a detailed examination requested from the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency confirmed it as H5N8 type highly pathogenic AI.

The province immediately controlled access to the farm and completed disinfection as soon as the AI antigen was detected. Preventive culling and burial of 32,000 ducks being raised were completed.

Proactive quarantine measures are being taken, including rapid testing of 65 chicken and duck farms and 47 epidemiologically related farms within a 10 km radius of the affected farm.

Additionally, as a measure to block further spread, based on risk analysis of surrounding farms, preventive culling of approximately 170,000 ducks at 9 meat duck farms within 1 km will also be promptly completed.

Furthermore, poultry farms within a 10 km radius will have movement restrictions for 30 days, and all other poultry farms in Naju-si will have movement restrictions for 7 days.

In particular, control posts will be installed at all 180 meat duck farms in the province with a high risk of occurrence to strengthen control and disinfection.

Lee Yongbo, Director of Animal Quarantine at Jeollanam-do, said, “If disinfection and quarantine practices at farms are even slightly insufficient, the risk of highly pathogenic AI occurrence is very high and dangerous.” He added, “Poultry farmers should thoroughly implement quarantine measures such as refraining from visiting migratory bird habitats, controlling vehicle and human access, establishing a quicklime belt around farms, and disinfecting inside and outside the farms.”

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