Hadongdo Also Breached... Gyeongnam Province Issues High Pathogenic AI Risk Alert

4 Cities and Counties in the Province, 7 Locations, 9 Cases

Gyeongsangnam-do is blocking and controlling access to the wild bird detection sites in Hadong-gun.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Se-ryeong] Highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) was detected in the carcass of a black-faced spoonbill found in Gadeok-ri, Geumseong-myeon, Hadong-gun, Gyeongnam.

Gyeongnam Province announced on the 28th that the detailed test results of the wild bird carcass found in Hadong-gun on the 24th were finalized on the 27th, confirming it as H5N1 type.

According to the province, including the carcass of a greater white-fronted goose confirmed on the 25th at Junam Reservoir in Changwon, highly pathogenic AI H5N1 was detected in 9 cases at 7 locations across 4 cities and counties in the province: 2 locations in Changwon, 5 in Gimhae, 1 in Changnyeong, and 1 in Hadong.

Upon detection of the H5 antigen, the initial quarantine team was immediately deployed, and access by people and vehicles within a 500m radius centered on the sampling site has been prohibited.

▲ Installation of banners and signboards on access roads ▲ Restriction of entry for livestock vehicles and related personnel ▲ Strengthened disinfection of roads around the detection site and access roads to adjacent poultry farms ▲ Designation of a 10 km radius wild waterfowl surveillance area around the sampling site ▲ Movement restrictions for all poultry farms within the quarantine zone are also being implemented.

The province reiterated quarantine measures such as installation and repair of nets to block wild bird access and confirmed through emergency surveillance and testing that there are no clinical symptoms related to avian influenza.

Due to the recent consecutive outbreaks of highly pathogenic AI in poultry farms and wild birds, a ‘Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Risk Alert’ has been issued for poultry farms, related livestock facilities, and livestock vehicles.

The risk alert is in effect for four weeks from the 18th of last month until December 15th, and the province plans to intensively promote compliance with AI prevention measures at poultry farms.

Kim Guk-heon, Director of Animal Quarantine Division, said, “This is a very important time for thorough biosecurity measures at farms to prevent contamination sources from entering poultry farms,” and urged, “Please ensure disinfection of the undersides of livestock vehicles upon entering farms, mandatory operation of footbath disinfection tanks and hand sanitizers, provision and changing of dedicated footwear for each livestock building.”