Avian Influenza Confirmed in Asan, Chungnam... "Culling and Epidemiological Investigation Underway"

The first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI H5 type) in the region this year has been confirmed at a farm in Asan, Chungnam.

Chungnam Province announced on the 11th that highly pathogenic avian influenza occurred at a layer farm located in Asan City, and emergency quarantine measures are being implemented.

The Chungnam Animal Hygiene Laboratory confirmed an increase in layer deaths and a decline in egg production at Farm A during a surveillance call in Asan City on the 8th, conducted tests, identified a suspected infection (H5), and received the final confirmation from the Quarantine Headquarters on the 9th.

Following the confirmation, Chungnam Province took emergency measures including restricting livestock movement at the farm, controlling access of people and vehicles, and initiating an initial epidemiological investigation.

Additionally, about 30,000 layers raised at the affected farm are being culled, and a 10 km radius around the farm has been designated as a quarantine zone where 37 nearby poultry farms are undergoing detailed inspections to check for further spread.

After completing the culling, the province will focus on post-management such as disposal of residual materials, cleaning, and disinfection, while deploying four disinfection vehicles to the affected area and nearby roads to conduct disinfection twice daily.

Currently, there have been six cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza nationwide: one in Chungnam, two in Jeonnam, and three in Jeonbuk.