8th Farm HPAI Spread... Prime Minister Jeong: "Strict Measures for Violating Quarantine Rules"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyunjung and Moon Chaeseok] As highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) continues to occur one after another, there are signs of nationwide spread, raising concerns. The government has warned that if infected farms violate quarantine rules, strict measures such as reduction of culling subsidies will be imposed.

According to the AI Central Accident Response Headquarters (CARH) on the 11th, a total of 8 cases of highly pathogenic AI have occurred in domestic poultry farms as of this date. These include Jeongeup, Jeonbuk (1 case), Naju, Jeonnam (2 cases), Yeongam (1 case each), Sangju, Gyeongbuk (1 case), Yeoju, Gyeonggi (2 cases), and Eumseong, Chungbuk (1 case). On this day, a suspected case of highly pathogenic AI was additionally discovered at a meat duck farm in Jeongeup City, Jeonbuk Province (with about 17,000 ducks). Authorities consider this to be the initial stage of virtually nationwide spread.

On the same day, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun gave an urgent directive to "actively utilize the 'Dedicated Officer System for Poultry Farms' to minimize human access within farms, thoroughly inspect quarantine conditions, and strictly take action against confirmed legal violations." Prime Minister Chung instructed, "The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs must thoroughly check that the quarantine measures implemented so far are properly enforced on site," and "Ensure prompt supplementation and administrative action for violations." He also emphasized, "Analyze the cases of infected farms carefully, promptly address vulnerabilities and necessary improvements in quarantine, and make every effort to prevent further occurrences." Furthermore, he said, "The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of National Defense, and other related ministries should swiftly provide necessary resources such as personnel and equipment to ensure no disruption in on-site quarantine," and added, "Local government heads should actively utilize the 'Dedicated Officer System for Poultry Farms' conducted this time to closely inspect the quarantine status of farms on site."

To respond strongly to the AI spread, six quarantine measures will be emphasized to local governments. These are: ▲ Through the dedicated officer system, check compliance with '4-step disinfection' and promptly supplement if insufficient ▲ Strictly take action against legal violations identified during inspections ▲ Conduct preemptive purchase and culling of small-scale farms and disinfect, inspect, and improve densely populated layer hen farming complexes ▲ Control human and vehicle access to farms vulnerable to quarantine ▲ Check compliance with orders banning livestock vehicles and livestock workers from migratory bird habitats ▲ Focus disinfection on small streams and reservoirs around migratory bird habitats and farms.

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