Jeonnam Province Takes Emergency Measures Including Culling
Determination of High Pathogenicity May Take Up to Three Days
An H5 type avian influenza (AI) antigen was detected at a poultry holding facility in Jineup, prompting quarantine authorities to issue a temporary movement restriction order. Provided by Jeonnam Province
An avian influenza antigen has been detected in Gangjin, Jeonnam Province, putting quarantine authorities on high alert.
On June 26, Jeonnam Province announced that an H5 type avian influenza (AI) antigen was detected at a poultry holding facility in Gangjin-eup, and that rapid initial quarantine measures were taken.
The facility in question is a holding site where poultry are kept before being sold at traditional markets, with 43 birds being raised there. A pre-shipment inspection, conducted before the birds were sent to market, confirmed the presence of H5 type avian influenza. The final determination of whether the strain is highly pathogenic will be made by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, a process that will take approximately one to three days.
All poultry shipped to traditional markets can only be released after passing a thorough inspection that confirms there are no issues.
Immediately after the detection of the H5 avian influenza antigen, Jeonnam Province deployed two members of the Livestock Hygiene and Quarantine Support Headquarters' initial response team to implement quarantine measures, including restricting access to and disinfecting the facility. Additionally, a provincial field support officer was dispatched to investigate the surrounding environment and analyze the cause of the outbreak.
To prevent further spread, authorities have proactively culled the poultry and designated a 10-kilometer radius around the affected farm as a quarantine zone, intensifying movement restrictions, disinfection, and monitoring. They also plan to swiftly test all 13 poultry farms within the quarantine area and conduct comprehensive inspections of poultry vendors and holding facilities at traditional markets.
From 3:00 p.m. until midnight on the same day, a temporary movement restriction order was issued for all chicken farms and related livestock facilities (such as slaughterhouses and feed factories), as well as livestock vehicles within the province. Comprehensive disinfection is also being carried out at all poultry farms and related facilities.
Park Hyunsik, Director of the Agriculture, Livestock and Food Bureau of Jeonnam Province, stated, "Although migratory birds have moved north, the virus may still persist in the environment around farms. If thorough quarantine measures are not implemented at poultry farms, there is a risk of additional outbreaks." He urged, "Please ensure strict disinfection and adhere to basic quarantine protocols."
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