High Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed for the First Time This Year at a Kimhae Laying Hen Farm

Personnel to be deployed for culling poultry at the high pathogenic AI outbreak farm and surrounding farms in Gimhae-si, Gyeongnam, are receiving disinfection and training. [Image source=Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Gyeongsangnam-do announced the first confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) in poultry farms this year.

Gyeongnam Province stated that on the 2nd, after conducting a final detailed inspection of a layer farm in Hallim-myeon, Gimhae City, where a suspected case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) was found on the 1st, it was confirmed to be the H5N1 strain.

The province explained that immediately upon confirming the suspected case, an initial quarantine team was deployed, and movement restrictions were imposed on poultry farms within a 10 km quarantine zone.

A 24-hour standstill order on layer farms and related facilities throughout the province was also issued until 9 PM on the 2nd.

As an emergency measure to prevent further spread, a total of 204,000 poultry will be culled, including 129,000 layers at the affected farm and 75,000 poultry at farms within 500 meters.

To determine the exact cause of the outbreak, an epidemiological investigation is underway jointly by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency and the Gyeongnam Animal Health Testing Laboratory. During the investigation, movement restrictions and disinfection measures will also be implemented on high-risk poultry farms and related facilities.

Kang Gwangsik, Director of the Animal Quarantine Division, said, “Analyzing past cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the province shows that January and February are the most critical periods each year.” He added, “As winter worsens disinfection conditions, poultry farms should prevent disinfection equipment from freezing, familiarize themselves with low-temperature disinfection methods, and strictly adhere to basic farm biosecurity rules.”