Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected at Native Chicken Farm in Eumbong-myeon, Asan...27,000 Chickens Culled

Full-scale Efforts to Block the Spread
Intensive Disinfection Using Drones and Strict Access Control

On April 21, Asan City in South Chungcheong Province announced that a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) had been detected at a native chicken farm in Eumbong-myeon.

According to the city, a suspected case was reported at 1:10 p.m. on April 19 at the farm, and the presence of the H5 antigen was confirmed at 9:40 p.m. on the same day.

In response, the city held an emergency disaster and safety countermeasures meeting on April 20, presided over by Vice Mayor Cho Ilgyo, to discuss quarantine measures to prevent the spread of AI.

All 27,000 native chickens being raised at the farm have been culled. Intensive disinfection using quarantine vehicles and drones, access control, and a detailed epidemiological investigation are currently underway.

Within a 3-kilometer radius, there are 13 farms, and within a 10-kilometer radius, there are 46 farms in operation. On April 20, the city completed preventive culling at two farms located within a 500-meter radius to prevent further spread.

In addition, a movement restriction order has been issued for 1,276,280 poultry at farms within a 10-kilometer radius.

Other efforts include the installation of control posts, operation of dedicated feed trucks, deployment of additional disinfection vehicles, and allocation of emergency reserve funds for testing and supply of quarantine materials, all aimed at building a robust quarantine network and blocking further spread.

Vice Mayor Cho Ilgyo stated, "Please thoroughly implement preemptive preventive measures for farms related to the epidemiological investigation." He added, "To prevent the spread of AI, both the administration and farms must work together. Please strengthen publicity and inspections to ensure strict compliance with basic quarantine rules such as prohibiting entry to migratory bird habitats, conducting two-stage vehicle disinfection, and changing boots."