All-Out Efforts to Prevent the Spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Jeonnam Province will undertake quarantine and inspection of poultry slaughterhouses in the region to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza. Provided by Jeonnam Province
The Jeollanam-do Animal Hygiene Testing Center announced on the 17th that it will strengthen quarantine inspections and slaughterhouse examinations for poultry slaughterhouses, following the recent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) at broiler duck farms in Eumseong-gun, Chungbuk and other poultry farms in different regions.
As a measure to prevent the spread of AI, the center will reinforce AI testing at poultry slaughterhouses and shipping farms, as well as live and carcass inspections for chickens and ducks. They will also thoroughly inspect whether appropriate disinfectants are being used and whether disinfection is being carried out at slaughterhouses.
Currently, in accordance with the elevated AI crisis response level, at least 10% of chickens and 30% of ducks from farms shipping to slaughterhouses are tested weekly. For affiliated farms confirmed with highly pathogenic AI, testing is intensified to at least 20% of chickens and 60% of ducks at the time of shipment to slaughterhouses.
Additionally, the slaughterhouse environment is continuously inspected once a week, and the management status of disinfection facilities, as well as the disinfection and cleaning status of live animal transport vehicles and drivers, are checked. They also verify whether poultry movement permits and disinfection certificates are held.
Jeong Jiyeong, Director of the Jeonnam Animal Hygiene Testing Center, stated, "We are thoroughly managing and inspecting quarantine at poultry slaughterhouses to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic AI and minimize damage to farms, so consumers can eat with confidence. If poultry farms observe any suspected symptoms of AI in chickens or ducks, they should immediately report it to the animal quarantine authorities."
Meanwhile, the number of poultry slaughtered in Jeonnam this year is 38,893,000 chickens and 29,759,000 ducks.
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