High Pathogenic AI Additional Confirmed in Yecheon, Gyeongbuk, Emergency Declared, Over 32,000 Birds Culled

Movement Restrictions and Enhanced Disinfection for Poultry Farms Within 10km Radius of Outbreak Farms

On the 19th, after a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) was reported at a duck farm in Jeongeori, Yecheon-gun, Gyeongbuk, access to the farm has been restricted. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Yong-woo] ‘Breeder chickens’ at a breeding farm in Yecheon, Gyeongbuk, have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, triggering an emergency.

Gyeongbuk Province announced on the 23rd that a sick breeder chicken showing suspicious symptoms in Yecheon on the 22nd was finally confirmed to have H5N1.

Accordingly, about 32,000 breeder chickens at this farm were urgently culled, and detailed inspections began on 18 farms within a 10 km radius and two other farms in the Gyeongbuk area. So far, no infections have been reported at these farms.

Additionally, to prevent further spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, movement restrictions, emergency surveillance, and inspections are being conducted on four locations including vehicles entering the affected farm and epidemiological facilities.

For 59 small-scale poultry farms within 3 km, which are at risk of further spread within the quarantine zone, about 680 birds will be purchased and culled.

The provincial quarantine authorities imposed a temporary standstill on Gyeongbuk and related affiliated farms and companies for 48 hours from 10 p.m. on the 21st to 10 p.m. on the 23rd.

A provincial official said, “The most important thing in additional outbreak situations within the province is to cut off the link through which the virus enters farms,” adding, “Farms must strictly implement four-step disinfection, close farm entrances and livestock side gates without disinfection and quarantine facilities, thoroughly control and disinfect all farm visitors and vehicles.”

According to Gyeongbuk Province, during farm surveillance on the 21st, the mortality rate was somewhat higher than usual, and tests conducted at the Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory detected the H5 antigen.

Upon detection of the H5 antigen, Gyeongbuk immediately deployed the initial response team from the Livestock Hygiene and Quarantine Support Headquarters to the site, controlled farm access, and implemented movement restrictions and intensive disinfection within a 10 km radius of the affected farm.

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