Focused Discussion on Measures to Prevent Spread
Amid the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) at a duck farm in Chungcheongbuk-do, related agencies held an emergency countermeasure meeting.
On the 8th, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, officials from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of National Defense, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, and representatives from 17 cities and provinces gathered for an emergency countermeasure meeting.
During the meeting, they focused on discussing measures to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, including quarantine of migratory bird habitats, prevention of cross-contamination between farms, and support for farm biosecurity.
In particular, Chungbuk and Eumseong-gun, where the avian influenza outbreak occurred, are concentrating on containment measures such as culling poultry farms within the outbreak farms and a 500m quarantine zone, and installing additional 24-hour operating control posts.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is classified as a Class 1 livestock infectious disease under the "Livestock Infectious Disease Prevention Act." It is highly contagious, but there are no vaccines or treatments available, and it is reported that the mortality rate for chickens reaches 100%.
Hong Jong-wan, Director of Social Disaster Division at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, stated, "Local disaster and safety headquarters, led by deputy heads of local governments, will actively respond with quarantine measures," and added, "The government will strive for early stabilization of avian influenza to avoid burdening farms and prices."
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