Winter Migratory Birds Have Arrived... Authorities "Strengthen AI Quarantine Management"

Rapid Increase in Highly Pathogenic AI Cases in Overseas Wild Birds
"Strengthening Quarantine at Migratory Bird Habitats Even Without AI Outbreaks"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] As winter migratory birds begin to arrive, the government is stepping up measures to strengthen avian influenza (AI) prevention.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 29th that it has confirmed the arrival of representative winter migratory birds such as ducks and geese in Korea, and plans to strengthen AI prevention management for nationwide poultry farms and migratory bird habitats.

According to the Ministry of Environment’s early winter migratory bird arrival survey, from the 24th to the 26th, 38,927 birds of 83 species were confirmed at 10 major migratory bird habitats in the Gyeonggi and Chungcheong regions. This is a 37.7% increase compared to last year’s survey. In particular, ducks and geese increased by 82.5%.

This year, the occurrence of highly pathogenic AI in wild birds overseas has surged compared to last year, and the virus types have also diversified. This increases the possibility that various highly pathogenic AI strains could be introduced into the country through migratory birds this winter.

The number of highly pathogenic AI cases in wild birds in Europe this year reached 1,237, a sharp increase from 31 cases the previous year. In Asia, 44 cases were reported, more than triple last year’s 14 cases.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Environment have decided to implement prevention measures such as restricting livestock vehicle access to migratory bird habitats, testing migratory bird droppings, and disinfection during the special livestock epidemic prevention period scheduled from next month through February of next year, even if AI does not occur.

An official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said, "This is a critical period as migratory birds begin to arrive," and urged, "All poultry farms nationwide should strictly follow prevention guidelines to prevent AI outbreaks."

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