Confirmed High Pathogenicity AI in Wild Birds in Cheonan... After 2 Years and 8 Months (Update)

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] Highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) has been detected in wild birds in South Korea for the first time in 2 years and 8 months.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 25th that a detailed examination of wild bird droppings collected on the 21st in Cheonan, Chungnam, confirmed the presence of H5N8 highly pathogenic AI.

This is the first confirmed case of highly pathogenic AI in wild birds in South Korea since February 1, 2018, when the H5N6 strain was detected in Gokgyocheon, Asan, Chungnam, marking a gap of 2 years and 8 months.

Earlier, when the H5-type AI antigen suspected of high pathogenicity was detected in the wild bird droppings, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs took preemptive measures by restricting access to the collection site and imposing movement controls on 188 poultry farms within a 10 km radius.

Following the confirmation, the Ministry plans to implement more strengthened quarantine measures.