Gyeongnam Province Extends Special Avian Influenza and Foot-and-Mouth Disease Quarantine Measures Period by 2 Weeks

Enhanced Quarantine Measures to Continue Until March 14

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] Gyeongsangnam-do announced that it will extend the special quarantine measures period for avian influenza (AI) and foot-and-mouth disease by two weeks until the 14th of next month.

This measure comes as multiple highly pathogenic AI antigens have been detected, causing sporadic outbreaks in poultry farms, and foot-and-mouth disease continues to occur in neighboring countries.

Accordingly, Gyeongnam Province will extend the 17 administrative orders issued to block horizontal transmission between farms for an additional two weeks.

As a result, the restriction on restocking after the simultaneous shipment of broilers and meat ducks, which has been implemented every year from November to February of the following year (for more than 14 days), will also be maintained.

In addition, the comprehensive inspection of all poultry farms, which began on the 15th, will be extended.

Quarantine status checks and disinfection of farms, facilities, and vehicles through dedicated poultry farm officers will also continue.

As part of foot-and-mouth disease prevention measures, risk factors will be managed by providing booster vaccinations and antibody tests for farms vulnerable to vaccination by livestock species.

Furthermore, environmental inspections are planned for March at slaughterhouses with high livestock vehicle traffic for cattle, pigs, and goats.

A provincial official urged, "Although livestock farmers and quarantine officials may be tired and exhausted due to the prolonged special quarantine period, we ask everyone to do their best in blocking and preventing the spread with the determination to protect the food supply for the residents."