Confirmed Case of Highly Pathogenic AI at Farm in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon...Incheon City Strengthens Quarantine Measures

In Incheon Ganghwa-gun, a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) has been confirmed at a farm, prompting the Incheon city government to strengthen quarantine measures.

According to Incheon city on the 19th, the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency conducted a detailed examination on dead poultry at a broiler breeder farm in Hwado-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, and confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic AI.

Following a report of dead poultry on the morning of the 17th, the Quarantine Agency detected the H5 type AI antigen, and it was finally confirmed as highly pathogenic AI around 7 p.m. the previous day. This is the third confirmed case of highly pathogenic AI in domestic poultry farms during this winter season.

On the 18th, H5 avian influenza (AI) antigen was detected at a poultry farm in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, where quarantine officials are controlling the site. Photo by Yonhap News

After controlling the AI-affected farm, the quarantine authorities culled approximately 15,800 chickens raised there and disposed of contaminated materials. Additionally, preventive culling will be conducted on 17,000 chickens at other poultry farms within a 500-meter radius.

For another farm located 1 to 1.5 km away from the AI outbreak site, which houses 15,000 chickens, a movement restriction order has been issued, and detailed inspections will be carried out.

Since last month, when the risk of AI outbreaks increased, the city has issued administrative orders to restrict vehicle entry into poultry farms, prohibit livestock vehicles and personnel from accessing migratory bird habitats, and ban free-range farming to prepare against highly pathogenic AI. In Ganghwa-gun, a livestock-dense area, a permanent disinfection facility has been operated to ensure that livestock vehicles are disinfected before visiting farms or livestock facilities.

In addition, 11 disinfection vehicles have been deployed to focus on disinfecting wild bird habitats, farm entrances, and nearby small streams. The Livestock Cooperative’s joint disinfection team is also supporting disinfection efforts at small-scale farms with weak quarantine facilities.

The city is providing guidance on AI outbreak situations, quarantine deficiencies found at affected farms, and four-step farm disinfection procedures through 25 dedicated poultry farm officers to ensure farm workers remain vigilant until migratory birds have fully migrated north by March next year.

An Incheon city official stated, "If there are gaps in individual farm quarantine, AI can occur at any time," and urged poultry farmers to actively cooperate by strictly controlling access, disinfecting inside and outside the farm, and changing boots, among other quarantine rules.