Avian Influenza Detected in Carcass of Leopard Cat in Hwasun, Jeonnam

10km Quarantine Zone Established
Enhanced Surveillance and Disinfection Measures

Jeonnam Province has launched containment measures after a leopard cat infected with avian influenza was found dead near Seryangji in Hwasun. Photo by Jeonnam Province

Jeollanam-do has launched full-scale quarantine measures after detecting the H5 avian influenza (AI) antigen in a dead wild leopard cat found near Seryangje (reservoir) in Hwasun, following a report from a local resident.

The provincial government deployed an initial quarantine team from the Livestock Health Control Headquarters to the area, restricting access for people and vehicles within a 500-meter radius. Intensive disinfection was also carried out on nearby roads using Hwasun County's disinfection vehicles.

A detailed examination is currently underway at the Wildlife Disease Management Center. If the virus is confirmed to be highly pathogenic, authorities plan to strengthen monitoring by imposing a 21-day movement restriction and conducting thorough inspections of poultry farms within a 10-kilometer quarantine zone.

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild mammals have continued to occur overseas, with 111 cases in 14 species in 2022, 271 cases in 32 species in 2023, and 100 cases in 28 species in 2024 in regions such as Europe, the Americas, and Japan.

Park Hyunsik, Director of the Agriculture, Livestock and Food Bureau of Jeollanam-do, stated, "We will do our utmost to implement quarantine measures such as disinfection around Seryangje," and urged, "Poultry farms in the vicinity must strictly adhere to disinfection protocols and basic quarantine guidelines."

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