Gangbuk-gu Puts Full Effort into Preventing the Spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (AI)

High Pathogenic AI Infected Carcass Found in Uicheon Stream... Access Control and Disinfection at Outbreak Site... 'Wild Waterfowl Surveillance Area' Designated Within 10km, Poultry Movement Restricted

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Gyeom-su) is making every effort to prevent the spread of disease after highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) was detected in a wild bird carcass found in Uicheon Stream.

On December 26 last year, the district discovered a suspected AI carcass near Gangbuk Fire Station in Uicheon Stream based on a resident's report, immediately collected it, and transferred it to the Health and Environment Research Institute.

The wild bird was finally confirmed as H5N8 type AI on January 5 through a detailed examination by the National Wildlife Disease Control Center.

The district has blocked access around the discovery site and is regularly inspecting and disinfecting the wild bird habitats along the stream.

Additionally, on the 30th, following the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' emergency action guidelines for avian influenza, the district designated an area within a 10km radius of the antigen detection site as a ‘wild waterfowl surveillance area.’

Accordingly, the movement of poultry, livestock manure, bedding, eggs, and other related items within the area is restricted. However, the district does not plan to impose movement restrictions on people and vehicles for poultry-raising households within the area. According to the guidelines, small-scale households raising poultry for ornamental purposes in urban areas, rather than farm-type operations, are exempt from movement restrictions on people and vehicles.

Mayor Park Gyeom-su of Gangbuk-gu said, “To prevent further spread of avian influenza, we will strengthen monitoring of poultry-raising households in the area and intensify quarantine efforts,” adding, “We ask all residents for their active cooperation, such as avoiding contact with wild birds when using the stream walking trails.”

Meanwhile, since December 18 last year, Gangbuk-gu has established and operated the ‘Gangbuk-gu AI Response Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters’ and the ‘AI Quarantine Situation Room,’ maintaining a 24-hour emergency duty system.

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