H5N1 Avian Influenza Detected in Anseongcheon... Gyeonggi Province Strives to Block Farm Infiltration

Disinfection in Detected Areas, Traffic Ban Within 500m, Movement Restrictions
Emergency Surveillance of 32 Poultry Farms Within 10km Quarantine Zone

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Following the confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) antigen in wild birds captured recently in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, the province has launched an all-out effort to prevent the virus from entering farms.

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 25th, "On the 22nd, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) of the 'H5N1 type' was finally detected in a spot-billed duck captured on the 17th at Anseongcheon in Unggyo-ri, Gungdo-eup, Anseong-si."

This is the first time AI has been detected in wild birds within the province since the second half of this year. The province has installed banners and signs around Anseongcheon to prohibit access.

Additionally, upon confirmation of antigen detection, disinfection was completed in the affected area, and control posts were set up to ban passage within 500 meters.

An emergency surveillance was conducted targeting 32 poultry farms within the quarantine zone (radius of 10 km) around the detection site, and so far, no suspected infected livestock have been found.

The province plans to order movement restrictions on farms within the quarantine zone until the 7th of next month and strengthen quarantine management such as disinfection and testing.

Although there have been no outbreaks in poultry farms within the province this fall, the detection timing in wild birds is nearly a month earlier compared to last year.

Accordingly, the province is implementing ▲designation and management of dedicated officers for all poultry farms, ▲operation of control posts at vulnerable layer farms, ▲constant surveillance of densely populated layer farming complexes and special management areas, and ▲focused disinfection of roads near migratory bird habitats and poultry farms.

In particular, until February 28 of next year, the province has ordered a ban on free-range farming for all poultry farms and has installed and operated a total of 33 base disinfection facilities in 19 cities and counties including Anseong and Gimpo.

Kim Jong-hoon, Director of the Animal Quarantine and Hygiene Division, urged, "To prevent the virus from entering farms within the province, workers at poultry farms and livestock-related facilities, as well as livestock vehicles, must not enter migratory bird habitats," and added, "Please strictly adhere to basic quarantine rules such as disinfecting inside and outside of livestock barns and performing two-step disinfection when visiting farms."

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