Pine Wilt Disease Monitoring to Be Handled by Helicopters... Sangju City Promotes Efficient Control Projects

Early Detection and Prevention of Spread of Infectious Diseases

Sangju City Hall.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yeo Jong-gu] Sangju City, Gyeongbuk Province, will conduct an aerial surveillance survey using a leased helicopter for wildfire suppression on June 2nd in cooperation with Gyeongbuk Province to enable early detection of pine wilt disease suspected trees and to promote an efficient control project.

This survey will focus intensively on dead trees not only in areas affected by pine wilt disease but also in areas where no cases have occurred for over a year and in regions at risk of spread.

Dead pine trees identified through aerial surveillance will have wood samples collected by ground precision surveyors, who will then send them to the Forest Environment Research Institute for testing to confirm infection status.

Based on this survey, the city plans to use the data for delineating affected areas and establishing control plans for the second half of the year, and from November, when the vector insects finish emerging, will carry out control of dead trees and preventive projects for surrounding pine species.

The city first reported pine wilt disease in Janggok-ri, Nakdong-myeon in June 2008, was declared a clean area again in November 2011, but the disease reoccurred in November 2013. Since then, 2,731 hectares and 51,592 trees have been controlled.

A Sangju City official said, “Early detection of pine wilt disease infected trees is crucial for preventing spread. We will thoroughly inspect to ensure no dead trees are missed through aerial and ground precision surveillance and devote all efforts to control.”

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