'Highly Pathogenic AI Detected' in Dead Wild Birds in Chuncheon Sparks Farm Transmission Alarm

No Entry and Movement Restrictions Within a 10Km Radius of the Incident Location

Graphic image [Asia Economy DB]

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] Recently, as highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses were repeatedly detected in wild birds found dead in Chuncheon, Chuncheon City and Gangwon Province quarantine authorities are making every effort to prevent the spread of the virus to poultry farms.

According to the city on the 26th, the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N8 was detected in a dead white-cheeked pintail found in Saam-ri, Dongnae-myeon on the 15th. Earlier, on the 12th, the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus was detected in a dead grey heron in Sanong-dong.

As the risk of transmission to poultry farms has increased, the city is strengthening quarantine measures such as disinfection around the locations where wild bird carcasses were found, and has also imposed access restrictions to the outbreak sites due to the zoonotic nature of the disease.

In particular, a 10 km radius around the outbreak sites has been designated as a wild bird surveillance area for 21 days, and movement restrictions have been imposed for 21 days on all poultry farms within the quarantine zone.

Currently, there are three full-time farms in the quarantine zone with a total of 120,000 birds. The city is concentrating on disinfecting the outbreak sites and poultry farms by mobilizing four joint prevention teams, one city disinfection vehicle, one wide-area disinfection machine, and one wide-area disinfection machine supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to block virus transmission to poultry farms.

The city urged, "Since highly pathogenic AI is a zoonotic disease, citizens should refrain from visiting areas with wild birds and immediately report any found wild bird carcasses to the relevant authorities."

Meanwhile, Gangwon Province quarantine authorities are also strengthening quarantine measures such as thorough disinfection and restricting public access to Wonju Stream, a migratory bird habitat where the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus was detected.

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