Siheung Reports First Pine Wilt Disease Outbreak... Gyeonggi Province Launches Emergency Joint Response

Following the first occurrence of pine wilt disease in Siheung City, Gyeonggi Province held an emergency joint central and local control countermeasure meeting on the 15th and pledged to make every effort to prevent further damage.

With the first occurrence of pine wilt disease in Siheung City, Gyeonggi Province held an emergency central and local joint control countermeasure meeting on the 15th to inspect the site. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

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The meeting, held at Siheung City Hall on April 15, was attended by officials from Gyeonggi Province, the Korea Forest Service, the National Institute of Forest Science, the Korea Forest Safety and Disaster Technology Institute, and related organizations from neighboring cities such as Ansan and Hwaseong.

On April 13, the Gyeonggi Provincial Institute of Forest Environment confirmed that six pine trees in the hills of Jeongwang-dong, Siheung City, were infected with pine wilt disease. This is the first time pine wilt disease has occurred in Siheung. As a result, the total number of cities and counties in the province affected by the disease has increased to 23. The number of affected local governments in Gyeonggi Province has been increasing by one each year, from 20 in 2023.

Pine wood nematode, which originated in North America, is a tiny nematode about 1mm in length. Once a tree is infected, it cannot be treated. Therefore, strengthening disease surveillance for early detection and establishing a rapid response system for the removal of infected trees are crucial.

The meeting covered topics such as epidemiological investigations into the timing, causes, and transmission routes of infection, the scope of intensive monitoring, and strategies for emergency control. Administrative districts within a 2km radius of the affected site were designated as pine tree movement restriction zones, and the movement of pine trees within these zones will be strictly controlled.

Additionally, regional control headquarters will be established in both Gyeonggi Province and Siheung City. A comprehensive survey of dead trees within a 5km radius of the infected trees will be conducted. All suspected trees will be sampled and undergo detailed diagnostics. If additional infected trees are detected, emergency control measures will be implemented immediately.

As the first pine wilt disease occurred in Siheung City, Gyeonggi Province held an emergency central and local joint pest control meeting on the 15th. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

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Kim Ilgon, Director of Forestry and Greenery at Gyeonggi Province, stated, "We will make every effort to prevent the spread of pine wilt disease and any further damage through thorough surveillance and rapid control measures at this initial stage."

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