Seoul City Animal Protection Center HPAI Test Results 'All Negative'

On the 25th, two cats confirmed and died after testing at a private shelter in Yongsan-gu

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 28th that all dogs and cats at animal protection centers operated by the city and autonomous districts tested negative for highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI).

This investigation was conducted after two cats at a private animal shelter in Yongsan-gu were confirmed to have highly pathogenic AI and died on the 25th. This is the first time in seven years since 2016 that cats in Korea have been diagnosed with highly pathogenic AI.

The city reported that all 57 dogs and 45 cats at 19 animal protection centers tested negative. Additionally, surveillance of 430 locations including poultry facilities, zoos, and animal cafes within a 10 km radius of the AI outbreak site found no animals showing suspicious symptoms.

Two other cats that were at the animal shelter where the AI outbreak occurred also tested negative. These animals have been moved to the Seoul Animal Welfare Support Center, an isolation facility, and are currently reported to be healthy without any special symptoms.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government urged people to maintain personal hygiene by wearing masks and gloves when caring for animals and to avoid touching dead wild birds, reporting them immediately to the relevant autonomous district office.

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