Wild Birds Near Yongin Cheongmicheon Test Positive for 'AI Virus'... Pathogenicity Under Investigation

A scene of bird flu (AI) prevention and control measures being implemented. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The H5N8 subtype of avian influenza (AI) virus has been detected around Cheongmicheon in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do.

On the 27th, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that the National Wildlife Disease Control Center (Disease Control Center) under the Ministry of Environment analyzed wild bird fecal samples collected around Cheongmicheon on the 24th and detected the H5N8 subtype of avian influenza (AI) antigen.

The H5 subtype AI virus is a genotype that can exhibit high pathogenicity, and whether the detected H5N8 virus is highly pathogenic will be confirmed within 1 to 2 days.

The Disease Control Center plans to strengthen surveillance of wild bird feces and carcasses within 10 km of the H5N8 virus detection site in cooperation with the Hangang River Basin Environmental Office.

Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and relevant local governments have been informed of the AI virus detection to enable prompt quarantine measures.