Suspicion of Highly Pathogenic AI at Quail Farm in Eumseong, Chungbuk... Nationwide Temporary Movement Ban Ordered

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Central Countermeasures Headquarters for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (AI) announced on the 9th that after confirming a suspected case of highly pathogenic AI at a farm raising approximately 770,000 quails in Eumseong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, a nationwide temporary movement ban order was issued. According to the headquarters, there are no poultry farms within a 500m radius of this farm. Detailed testing is currently underway, and the determination of high pathogenicity is expected within 1 to 3 days.

This order will be enforced nationwide on poultry farms, feed factories, slaughterhouses, and other livestock facilities and vehicles for 48 hours from 11 a.m. on the day of issuance until 11 a.m. on the 11th. During the order period, the Central Countermeasures Headquarters will organize 24 central inspection teams to check compliance with the order at farms, facilities, and vehicles. Violating the temporary movement ban order without movement approval documents and disinfection measures will result in imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won under the 'Livestock Infectious Disease Prevention Act.'

The headquarters will conduct comprehensive disinfection and quarantine inspections of poultry farms nationwide, migratory bird habitats including small streams and tributaries, livestock facilities, and vehicles. All available resources such as wide-area sprayers, military disinfection vehicles, and spraying helicopters will be mobilized to inspect migratory bird habitats, roads, and farms around the suspected outbreak farm.

The headquarters held an emergency quarantine situation meeting on the day and emphasized, "To prevent and contain highly pathogenic AI, thorough four-step disinfection at farms must be carried out." The four-step disinfection includes spreading quicklime at farm entrances, daily cleaning and disinfection inside the farm, changing boots and disinfecting hands when entering livestock houses, and daily cleaning and disinfection inside and outside the livestock houses. The headquarters stated, "If any violations of relevant laws are found during inspections of poultry farms and related facilities nationwide or during epidemiological investigations of outbreak farms, strict punishment will be enforced." They also urged, "Farmers should immediately report to quarantine authorities if they notice any abnormalities such as death or decreased egg production in their poultry."

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