H5 Avian Influenza Antigen Detected at Seosan Duck Farm... "Testing for High Pathogenicity Underway"

Yonhap News

The first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI H5 type) this year has been detected at a duck farm in Seosan, Chungnam Province.

According to the province on the 26th, the AI H5 antigen was detected the previous day in a test requested before shipment at a duck farm in Seosan. The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency is currently confirming whether it is highly pathogenic.

The province has decided to cull approximately 30,000 meat ducks being raised at the farm, restrict the movement of livestock, and control the entry of people and vehicles.

Thirteen poultry farms within a 10 km radius of the affected farm will also undergo thorough inspections.

Lee Deokmin, director of the Provincial Livestock and Agriculture Bureau, said, "We will do our utmost to prevent further spread and minimize damage to farms through emergency quarantine measures at the affected farm," and urged, "Poultry farms must strictly comply with basic quarantine rules."