Imsil-gun, All-Out Efforts to Block Highly Pathogenic AI Quarantine Measures

[Imsil=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Nosik] Imsil-gun, Jeonbuk is making every effort to block and prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) among poultry farms in the area, amid the recent nationwide spread and continuous occurrence within the province.

The county announced on the 6th that since the 16th of last month, a disinfection control post has been operating in the Hakseok-ri area of Gangjin-myeon, and since the 24th of last month, an additional farm control post has been installed and operated in front of the duck farm in Okjeon-ri, Cheongung-myeon.

Since October last year, 21 cases of highly pathogenic AI have occurred in poultry farms and 51 cases in wild birds, but no confirmed cases have yet been reported in poultry farms within the county.

Avian influenza, which comes every winter, is an acute contagious disease of birds caused by infection with the avian influenza virus, causing severe damage to poultry such as chickens and ducks raised as livestock.

Through the additional installation of these control posts, the county has strengthened access control and disinfection to prevent the outbreak of avian influenza among 54 poultry farms with a total of 3,926,000 birds in the area.

As a result, the county now operates a total of three quarantine facilities: one base disinfection facility (Gwanchon), one disinfection control post (Gangjin), and one farm control post (Cheongung).

All livestock vehicles visiting poultry farms in Imsil-gun must visit the disinfection facilities and undergo disinfection.

In particular, livestock farmers are required to apply quicklime on farm entrances, clean and disinfect the farm interior daily, change boots when entering the livestock sheds, and perform personal disinfection.

Since October, the county has been mobilizing one county quarantine vehicle, four vehicles from the Livestock Cooperative joint pest control team, and one rented water spraying vehicle daily to support disinfection of roads around poultry farms.

During the special quarantine period (2022.10.1.~2022.2.28.), the county prohibits entry of all vehicles into poultry farms except for specific vehicles transporting livestock, feed, manure, and sawdust, and continuously guides and inspects the compliance of farmers with quarantine rules.

County Governor Shim Min said, “As the nationwide spread of AI continues, we ask poultry farms and related facilities to strictly control access and thoroughly disinfect to prevent AI outbreaks.”

Imsil=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Nosik baekok@asiae.co.kr