Gangwon Province Ends Special Quarantine for AI... Achieves KRW 3.2 Billion Economic Benefit with Zero Farm Outbreaks

Gangwon Province Completely Blocks Farm Spread of Highly Pathogenic AI
Zero Cases of AI at Poultry Farms... Special Quarantine Period Concludes
Residual Virus Risk Remains... Quarantine Management to Continue

Gangwon Province announced that it would end the special quarantine period for highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI), which had been in effect since October 1, 2025, as of April 15, and would transition back to the normal quarantine system.

A panoramic view of the Gangwon Provincial Government Office. Provided by Gangwon Province.

During this special quarantine period, nine cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) were detected at migratory bird habitats such as Wonju, Cheorwon, and Goseong. However, the province and cities/counties were able to prevent the spread to farms through swift measures, including restricting access to detection sites, conducting emergency precision testing, and limiting movement within quarantine zones.

The province also implemented proactive quarantine actions, such as installing and operating control posts at layer farms, managing the entry of external personnel and vehicles, expanding precision testing for highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) (up to six times more than usual), and restricting the raising of ducks—a vulnerable species during outbreak-prone periods.

As a result, it is estimated that about 3.2 billion won in budget expenditures that would have been used for culling and compensation was saved.

Even after the end of the special quarantine period, the province plans to continue quarantine management efforts such as testing and disinfection, considering the risks posed by residual viruses and increased farming activity.

The quarantine response situation room will remain in operation, and monitoring and testing will be strengthened to maintain both the inspection cycle for the "caution" alert level and pre-shipment testing.

The province will also continue to manage the timing of broiler and meat duck stocking and shipment, and extend the intensive disinfection week—focused on access roads to layer and duck farms—until April 30.

In addition, the province will continue to provide guidance and inspections regarding quarantine compliance, and will keep control posts in operation at layer farms with more than 200,000 birds.

Park Hyungcheol, Director of Agricultural Policy at Gangwon Province, stated, "Given the increase in farming activities and the farm outbreak cases in May 2024 and June 2025, risks still remain," and urged, "Please thoroughly disinfect vehicles and personnel entering farms, and always store farming machinery used for agricultural operations outside the farm premises."

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