Jeonnam Province Tightens Control to Prevent Spread of Highly Pathogenic AI

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province is tightening measures to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI).

On the 25th, the province announced that it will strengthen farm inspections and stocking management to block the spread following recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) in Naju, Gangjin, and Damyang.

Recently, migratory birds such as mandarin ducks infected with the H5N1 strain have extensively contaminated areas around farms located along the migratory routes on the west coast.

Through on-site investigations of affected farms, the province diagnosed that the disease was introduced due to farm owners' failure to comply with basic biosecurity measures, including negligence in disinfecting vehicles entering farms, inadequate hand disinfection before entering livestock barns, and failure to change boots.

Jeonnam Province has intensified detailed inspections, including testing farms in the protection zone within the AI outbreak quarantine area every five days and conducting four tests at different breeding stages for duck farms in Naju and Yeongam. The plan is to detect infected livestock early and prevent the spread to neighboring areas.

Duck farms in high-risk areas such as Naju, Damyang, Gokseong, Yeongam, Gangjin, and Haenam must receive direct facility inspections and biosecurity guidance from the province and obtain approval before stocking.

Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, and Jeonnam Province will conduct continuous inspections targeting farms vulnerable to biosecurity risks during the winter season, migratory bird habitats, and key disinfection facilities. Farms that fail to comply with basic biosecurity rules will face strict measures according to relevant laws.

The H5N1 virus strain recently introduced domestically is the most contagious among previously reported serotypes, requiring stronger biosecurity measures than before.

To strengthen preventive biosecurity under the current situation, city and county governments must disinfect roads around migratory bird habitats, small streams, and reservoirs, as well as farm access roads at least twice daily, and farm owners must strictly adhere to basic biosecurity rules.

Consensus on preventive biosecurity has also been formed with the private sector. On the 23rd, the Director of the Provincial Agriculture and Livestock Food Bureau, representatives from the Duck Association, Dasol, Sajowon, and JD Farm gathered for an emergency meeting to discuss measures to block the spread of highly pathogenic AI and agreed to strengthen biosecurity.

The agreed measures include ▲ restricting stocking at farms with inadequate biosecurity facilities and farm owner compliance ▲ designating biosecurity management officers within affiliated companies and daily monitoring of disinfection status at each farm ▲ early shipment of ducks within the 10 km quarantine zone ▲ four-step disinfection upon farm entry ▲ and prohibiting affiliated company vehicles from entering farms of other affiliates.

Soyoungho, Director of the Jeonnam Provincial Agriculture and Livestock Food Bureau, urged, “City and county governments must have a solemn awareness that farms are contaminated with the virus and verify daily whether farm owners are following basic biosecurity rules. Please disinfect roads around migratory bird habitats, small streams, and farm access roads at least twice daily.”

As of the 25th, a total of eight cases of highly pathogenic AI have occurred domestically, with four cases each in Jeonnam and Chungbuk. By livestock type, Jeonnam reported four cases in duck farms, while Chungbuk reported two in duck farms and one each in quail and broiler farms.

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