Gangwon-do Reports Livestock Suspected of AI Infection... Full Efforts to Prevent Spread

Emergency 'Movement Ban' Issued for One Day on the 30th at Donghae Laying Hen Farm on the 29th

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) announced on the 30th that a suspected case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) infection in livestock (suspected animals) occurred at a laying hen farm located in Donghae City on the 29th, and that it is making every effort to carry out emergency quarantine measures to prevent the spread between farms.

A view of Gangwon Provincial Government Office.

On the morning of the 29th, the farm owner confirmed the death of 50 chickens and reported the suspicion to Donghae City around 9 a.m. Upon receiving the report, the Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory dispatched livestock quarantine officers to the site. Upon arrival, clinical examinations and necropsies of the dead chickens were immediately conducted, and samples were collected for detailed testing. The results confirmed the presence of H5 antigen, and preemptive culling is currently underway.

Gangwon Province issued an emergency order to temporarily halt all movements of poultry farms, workplaces, and livestock vehicles within the province for 24 hours starting from midnight on the 30th. Additionally, one Gangwon Province controller was dispatched to the affected farm to promptly complete culling and burial operations. Disinfection, surveillance, and detailed testing will be urgently conducted on farms within the quarantine zone (207 farms) and epidemiologically related farms (5 farms).

Seok Seong-gyun, Director of the Gangwon Provincial Department of Agriculture, stated, “Since October, we have set a special quarantine period and have been dedicated to preventing farm inflow through blocking measures. However, with the occurrence in Donghae City, we are determined with a new resolve that ‘there is no safe zone for avian influenza’ and will intensify blocking quarantine efforts to prevent farm damage and stabilize management.” He emphasized, “We will devote all efforts to blocking quarantine against avian influenza.”