Jeonnam Province Issues High Pathogenic Avian Influenza Risk Alert

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province recently announced that it has issued a risk advisory for four weeks until the 15th of next month, focusing on joint public-private inspections of farm biosecurity compliance, as highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) has occurred in poultry farms and wild birds, and the influx of winter migratory birds has increased.

Analysis of data from the Ministry of Environment shows that as of the 16th, 206,000 winter migratory birds of 73 species have been confirmed at 35 migratory bird habitats in the Jeonnam region, including Yeongamho, Suncheonman, Gocheonamho, and Gangjinman. This is more than three times the number from last month (62,000 birds).

In particular, ducks and other waterfowl, which are major species for detecting highly pathogenic avian influenza such as mallards and spot-billed ducks, numbered 166,000, nearly five times more than last month (34,000 birds).

Accordingly, Jeonnam Province, in cooperation with the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, is conducting a comprehensive biosecurity inspection by December 9 on 144 laying hen and breeding duck farms in the region, and plans to use 825 dedicated public officials and 30 telephone surveillance personnel to deliver biosecurity guidelines to farms daily via phone and check compliance.

Additionally, poultry producer organizations and poultry affiliates will promote biosecurity guidelines and conduct daily telephone surveys on member farms and contract farms, as well as conduct on-site visits once every two weeks to verify compliance.

So far, Jeonnam Province has invested 29.7 billion won to reinforce biosecurity facilities for farm-led blocking measures, and after sending a letter from the governor at the end of October, issued a statement on the 16th urging poultry farms to adhere to core biosecurity measures. To strengthen the public-private cooperation system, a win-win agreement was signed in October between the province, affiliates, and producer organizations.

Jeon Dohyun, Director of Animal Quarantine at Jeonnam Province, said, “In a situation where the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks has increased, it is important for farm owners to practice core biosecurity measures to block contamination sources from entering farms via people and vehicles,” and urged, “If symptoms such as increased mortality or decreased egg production occur, please report immediately to quarantine authorities.”

As of the 21st, 18 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza have occurred in poultry farms across seven provinces nationwide: Gyeonggi (3), Gangwon (1), Chungbuk (9), Chungnam (1), Jeonbuk (1), Jeonnam (1), and Gyeongbuk (2). In Jeonnam, one case was reported at a meat duck farm in Jangheung.

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