Confirmed Case of Highly Pathogenic AI at Cheonan Laying Hen Farm... 27th Case in Poultry Farms

60% Fatality Rate When Transmitted to Humans... Medical Community Watches Closely
Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters "Report Even Mild Symptoms Immediately"

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) has been confirmed at a layer farm located in Cheonan-si, Chungnam.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for Highly Pathogenic AI (CDSCH) on the 6th, an AI case was confirmed at a farm in Cheonan, Chungnam, which raises approximately 239,000 chickens.

Livestock disease control vehicle disinfecting the road.
Photo by Yonhap News

Highly pathogenic AI is an acute viral infectious disease that occurs in chickens, ducks, and wild birds, and rarely in humans. Since late 2003 until February 2008, more than 640 human infection cases have been reported, with a mortality rate of 60% in infected humans. The global medical community is closely monitoring the potential for AI to become a human epidemic in the future.

The CDSCH issued a temporary movement suspension order until 1 p.m. on the 7th for layer farms, related facilities, and vehicles located in 20 cities and counties in Chungnam, Sejong, and southern Gyeonggi. Additionally, an initial response team was dispatched to the affected farm to conduct access control, culling, and epidemiological investigations.

Since last month, the number of highly pathogenic AI cases occurring at poultry farms has increased to 27, including this case. Among them, 13 cases were confirmed at layer farms.

The CDSCH urged that if any major symptoms suspected of highly pathogenic AI, such as increased mortality or decreased egg production in poultry, or mild symptoms like reduced feed intake and drowsiness are observed, they should be reported immediately to the quarantine authorities.

Meanwhile, on her first day in office on the 1st, Song Miryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "This year’s top priority is to minimize the occurrence and spread of highly pathogenic AI to stabilize egg prices, which are closely related to the daily lives of the public."