Suspected Case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Cat Occurs Again... Human Infection Prevention Measures Underway

Authorities implemented quarantine measures after a suspected case of highly pathogenic avian influenza infection was reported in a cat. This comes four days after the first confirmed case of avian influenza infection in a cat in South Korea.

On the 29th, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that a suspected case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5 type) was confirmed in a cat at a cat shelter located in Gwanak-gu, Seoul.

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The cat at the shelter was brought to a nearby animal hospital with symptoms such as loss of appetite and respiratory issues and died during treatment. The animal hospital director reported the case to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency. On the 29th, tests conducted by the Seoul Institute of Health and Environment confirmed the cat as a suspected case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5 type). Additional detailed tests are currently underway, and it is expected to take about 2 to 3 days to confirm whether it is highly pathogenic.

Immediately after confirming the suspected case, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs promptly shared and disseminated the situation to related agencies including the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, local governments, and organizations. Through the local government (Seoul Metropolitan City), emergency quarantine measures such as cleaning, disinfection, and access control were implemented at the site.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, together with local governments, is swiftly conducting preventive measures against human infection of avian influenza, including contact tracing related to the cat. Symptom checks for animal hospital workers and shelter staff have been completed. Among the exposed individuals identified so far, there are no symptomatic cases.

Similar to the confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a cat in Yongsan-gu, exposed individuals classified as high-risk will be intensively monitored for up to 10 days, the maximum incubation period, from the last contact date. As of today, there is one person under management related to the confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza case in the Yongsan-gu cat, and no symptoms have been reported.