Jeonnam Duck Farm Followed by Chicken Farm Faces AI Emergency

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Jo] Following duck farms in Jeonnam region, suspected cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) have been reported at chicken farms in the province as well. Authorities are on high alert as H5-type antigens were detected in chickens, which are more vulnerable to AI than ducks.

According to Jeonnam Province on the 2nd, a suspected case of highly pathogenic AI was reported the day before due to deaths at a layer farm in Cheonggye-myeon, Muan-gun. After receiving the suspicion report, the Jeonnam Animal Hygiene Laboratory conducted tests and detected H5-type AI antigens, and are currently conducting detailed examinations. Results are expected within 1 to 2 days.

At this farm, out of 4 poultry houses housing 77,000 chickens, 1,000 chickens died in one poultry house. The quarantine authorities plan to cull the chickens at the affected farm, and if a highly pathogenic confirmation is made, they will also cull 60,000 chickens at one farm within a 3 km radius.

Additionally, a quarantine zone has been established within a 10 km radius of the affected farm (22 farms with 838,000 chickens), and a 30-day movement restriction order has been issued for poultry farms.

So far this winter, highly pathogenic AI has occurred at 9 duck farms in the Jeonnam region, but this is the first suspected case of highly pathogenic AI at a chicken farm.

There are a total of 401 chicken farms in the province, raising 25 million chickens, ranking fifth in scale among all provinces nationwide.

A Jeonnam Province official said, "Additional control posts have been installed on major roads near the suspected farm, and vehicle and personnel movement are being restricted," adding, "We are strengthening disinfection and other quarantine activities with farms to prevent further spread."

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