End of Special Avian Influenza Quarantine Measures... Disinfection Advisory for Poultry Farms

Migratory Birds Moving North... Population Drops from 1.57 Million to 470,000
Maintaining Strengthened Quarantine Measures Against Vulnerabilities
Continued Intensive Disinfection of Poultry Farms Three Times a Week

On December 7 last year, swans and geese were seen active at Usupje Reservoir in Gongsan-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do. In December last year, the number of migratory birds increased to 1.57 million. (Image source=Yonhap News)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government announced that the special avian influenza (AI) quarantine period during the migratory bird risk season will end on the 28th.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated, "As migratory birds have begun to move north in earnest, reducing their population, and the detection of highly pathogenic AI antigens has significantly decreased recently, the overall risk has declined, so we are ending the special AI quarantine period during the migratory bird risk season."

The number of migratory birds increased from 940,000 in November to 1.57 million in December, then steadily decreased to 470,000 this month. The daily average number of highly pathogenic AI antigen detections dropped from 3.48 cases in January to 0.2 cases from the 13th to the present.

However, strengthened quarantine measures for vulnerable factors will be maintained, as highly pathogenic AI can intermittently occur in poultry farms.

First, quarantine vehicles will be deployed to conduct intensive disinfection three times a week at migratory bird habitats where antigens were detected, native chicken farms and their enclosures, and entryways of laying hen, breeder, and breeder duck farms. The "Nationwide Campaign to Eliminate Viruses in Poultry Farms" will be extended. Dedicated officers will provide guidance on the "three-step disinfection protocol" and continue inspections. The three-step disinfection protocol includes cleaning and disinfecting inside the farm, changing boots and disinfecting hands when entering the barn, and daily disinfection inside the barn.

To detect infected individuals early, a strengthened inspection system for poultry and the environment will be maintained. Quarantine measures to block cyclic infections and horizontal transmission between farms will also be maintained for vulnerable livestock species such as laying hens, ducks, and native chickens.

An official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs urged, "Since the risk persists due to remaining viruses, poultry farmers and related facilities should continue to meticulously carry out disinfection and comply with quarantine rules."

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