'Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza' Detected in Wild Bird Droppings... Crisis Alert Level 'Severe'

Nationwide Poultry Farm Inspection Cycle Shortened and Enhanced Quarantine Measures Including Ban on Free-Range Rearing Orders

Highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in wild bird droppings, raising the crisis alert level to 'severe.'

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Environment announced on the 9th that the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency confirmed the presence of H5-type highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild bird droppings collected from Gunsan, Jeonbuk (Mangyeong River) on the 2nd.

This is the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild bird samples in Korea during this winter season. It has been eight months since the last detection in the previous winter season (Junan Reservoir, Changwon, Gyeongnam, on February 6 of this year).

Following the 'Avian Influenza Emergency Action Guidelines (SOP),' the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has raised the crisis alert level from 'caution' to 'severe' and is implementing strengthened quarantine measures, including shortening the inspection intervals for poultry farms nationwide and issuing orders to prohibit free-range farming.

Choi Jeong-rok, Director of the Quarantine Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, urged, "As the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks increases during this period, poultry farm operators and related personnel must strictly adhere to biosecurity protocols," and added, "If suspicious symptoms such as increased mortality or decreased egg production are observed, please report immediately to the quarantine authorities."