Gangwon-do Issues 'High Pathogenic AI Risk Alert'... Full Effort to Block Entry into Poultry Farms

Spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-chul] As highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) antigens have been repeatedly detected in wild birds in areas such as Wonju, Gangwon-do, where poultry farms are densely located, Gangwon-do has issued a "Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Risk Advisory" until the end of February, the period when migratory birds move northward.

According to the province on the 5th, as of this date, 86 cases of highly pathogenic AI have occurred in poultry farms across 42 cities and counties in 8 cities and provinces nationwide, and 129 AI antigens have been detected in wild birds, indicating a serious situation where the virus can enter poultry farms in the province at any time.

In particular, a large number of dead goose carcasses were recently found near Tokyo Reservoir in Dongsong-eup, Cheorwon, and AI antigens were detected in 47 carcasses, with tests underway to determine if it is highly pathogenic.

Highly pathogenic AI has been detected a total of four times since the 5th of last month in the Wonjucheon area of Wonju and Hoengseong, where laying hen farms (28 farms, 1,877,000 birds) are densely located. Special quarantine measures are being implemented at poultry farms and migratory bird habitats in the areas covered by this risk advisory.

Accordingly, the province is strengthening farm biosecurity measures at poultry-related livestock facilities, including ▲prohibiting entry of outsiders and vehicles to farms ▲applying quicklime to farm entrances and surrounding areas ▲daily cleaning and disinfection inside and outside livestock barns (between 2 and 3 p.m.).

When highly pathogenic AI is detected in wild waterfowl or their droppings, the area is designated as a wild waterfowl surveillance zone (within a 10 km radius of the wild bird sample collection point), and movement restrictions are imposed on all poultry raised in farms within that area.

Movement restrictions are lifted 21 days after the sample collection date, following clinical and detailed examinations confirming no abnormalities. The province has already ordered a ban on human and vehicle access to 10 designated migratory bird habitat control zones.

Additionally, to prevent damage to large-scale farms caused by culling within a 3 km radius in the event of highly pathogenic AI outbreaks, the province is promoting purchase and culling only of participating farms using its own budget.