‘Highly Pathogenic AI’ Detected Near Bonggok Reservoir in Changwon... Gyeongnam Province, "Focusing on Quarantine Amid Major Spread Concerns"

Wild Bird Feces Collection Site ~ 500m from Farmhouses

A high pathogenic avian influenza (AI) quarantine vehicle is disinfecting the area around the detection site.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Se-ryeong] On October 31, highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) was detected in wild bird droppings collected near Bonggok Reservoir in Dong-eup, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam on October 27.

According to Gyeongnam Province on the 1st, the location where the droppings were collected is 500 meters away from a small-scale poultry farm raising native chickens. The province plans to focus on quarantine management to prevent AI inflow into nearby poultry farms and its spread in the surrounding area.

A provincial official explained, “This is the second case of AI detected in wild birds in Gyeongnam Province, just eight days after it was detected at Sacheoncheon in Gimhae on the 23rd of last month.”

He added, “AI antigens have been consecutively detected in wild bird droppings or captured wild birds collected from Gyewha bird sanctuary in Buan, Jeonbuk, Jinwicheon in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, and Mihocheon in Chungbuk, raising the risk of nationwide large-scale spread.”

The province reported that in October, one case was detected in the second week, three cases in the third week, and five cases in the fourth week of highly pathogenic avian influenza, with nine cases in wild birds and three cases in poultry farms.

Gyeongnam Province immediately deployed an initial response team upon antigen detection and prohibited entry of people and vehicles within a 500-meter radius centered on the collection site.

▲ Installation of banners and information boards at access roads ▲ Restriction of entry for livestock vehicles and related personnel ▲ Strengthened disinfection of roads around the detection site and access roads to adjacent poultry farms were also implemented.

The area within a 10 km radius of the sample collection point was designated as a ‘wild waterfowl surveillance area’ according to avian influenza quarantine guidelines.

▲ Movement restrictions for all poultry farms within the quarantine zone ▲ Reinforcement of quarantine measures such as installation and repair of nets to block wild bird access were reemphasized, and emergency surveillance and inspection confirmed no clinical symptoms related to avian influenza.

From October 27 to November 9, the province will conduct thorough inspections related to virus inflow targeting 342 full-time farms.

Throughout November, joint detailed quarantine inspections targeting vulnerable farms will be conducted weekly in cooperation with the Gimhae Quarantine Center of the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency.

Gyeongnam Province will also mobilize 13 livestock quarantine officers from the Animal Quarantine Division to support disinfection of small-scale and vulnerable farms and will promote inspections of the operation status of 86 joint pest control teams.

Kim Guk-heon, head of the Animal Quarantine Division, said, “Please thoroughly implement disinfection inside and outside livestock barns, control entry of external vehicles and people, prohibit poultry grazing, and enforce measures to prevent wild bird access.” He added, “Poultry farms should conduct daily surveillance to check for suspected animals and promptly report to quarantine authorities if suspicious symptoms appear.”

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