AI Antigen Detected at Egg-Laying Farm in Donghae, Gangwon... First Case in Poultry Farms This Winter Season

Movement Control for Antigen-Confirmed Farms
Culling and Nationwide Temporary Movement Suspension Ordered

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza announced on the 30th that H5-type avian influenza antigen was detected on the 29th at a laying hen farm in Donghae-si, Gangwon Province (mixed breeding of about 700 laying hens and 80 ducks). The determination of whether it is highly pathogenic is being conducted through a detailed examination by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency. The results will take about 1 to 3 days.

This is the first detection of H5-type avian influenza antigen in a poultry farm during this winter season since highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in wild bird droppings collected from the Mangyeong River in Gunsan, Jeonbuk on the 2nd.

Since there is a high possibility that the detection of H5-type avian influenza antigen will be judged as highly pathogenic, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters has proactively deployed an initial response team to the farm to implement quarantine measures such as access control, culling, and epidemiological investigation.

Additionally, a temporary movement ban order has been issued nationwide for poultry farms, related livestock facilities (slaughterhouses, feed factories, etc.), and livestock vehicles for 24 hours starting from 0:00 on the 30th.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters emphasized refraining from entering migratory bird habitats where there is a possibility of virus contact, thorough compliance with basic quarantine rules such as two-step disinfection of farm entry vehicles (fixed disinfectors and high-pressure sprayers), prohibition of egg transport vehicles from entering farms, changing into dedicated boots before entering livestock barns, and cleaning and disinfecting machinery and equipment when brought into barns.

Furthermore, livestock farmers are urged to immediately report to quarantine authorities not only when major suspected symptoms of highly pathogenic avian influenza such as increased mortality, decreased egg production, and reduced feed intake are observed in poultry under their care, but also when even mild symptoms are detected.