Highly Pathogenic AI Outbreak Detected in Ornamental Birds at Private Homes

A Household in Hongseong, Chungnam... First Case of Avian Influenza This Year
Confirmed Cases Increase to 23... Report Immediately if Suspected Symptoms Are Found

At a layer farm in Icheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, where highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) occurred, officials are controlling access on the afternoon of the 27th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Intern Lee Gyehwa] A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 type) (AI) has been confirmed in ornamental birds raised at home. This is the first confirmed case in ornamental birds since the spread of highly pathogenic AI this fall. With this, the total number of confirmed highly pathogenic AI cases has increased to 23.

On the 27th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for Highly Pathogenic AI announced, "Highly pathogenic AI occurred in a general household raising 124 ornamental birds in Hongseong, Chungnam." This is the first case this fall occurring outside of wild birds and poultry farms. From last month until the 27th, AI occurred in a total of 22 poultry farms.

The location of this AI outbreak is a rural household raising 124 birds including ornamental chickens, ducks, pheasants, turkeys, and geese, kept in wire mesh enclosures in the yard. As bird deaths increased, the owner reportedly reported it to quarantine authorities. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters stated, "This is a household not registered for livestock farming, raising birds for ornamental purposes and consuming eggs themselves," adding, "We are verifying whether there was a violation of livestock farming registration."

It is rare for AI to occur in general households. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, there have been no AI cases in general households in the past two years. The most recent case of AI occurring outside wild bird carcasses and poultry farms was in December 2020, when 47 ornamental geese at an experiential learning center in Cheonan, Chungnam, were collectively infected with AI. Previously, at the end of 2016, AI was confirmed in the carcasses of a cat and stray cats raised in a household in Pocheon, Gyeonggi.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters stated, "During the special quarantine period from last October to February, poultry must not be released to roam in yards, rice paddies, or fields without wild bird blocking facilities such as nets," adding, "Violations may result in imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won." They also urged, "Poultry farmers should immediately report to quarantine authorities if they notice suspected symptoms of highly pathogenic AI such as increased mortality, decreased egg production, or reduced feed intake."

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