Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected at Layer Farms in Goesan and Cheonan

The Central Accident Management Headquarters for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (AI) announced on December 17 that highly pathogenic AI had been detected at layer farms in Goesan County, North Chungcheong Province (246,000 birds), and Cheonan City, South Chungcheong Province (266,000 birds). These are the 13th and 14th confirmed cases of highly pathogenic AI during this winter season.

Previously, on November 9, a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza was reported at a layer farm in Cheonan. Since then, two additional cases have been confirmed within the designated quarantine zone (within a 10 km radius): one in Anseong and one in Cheonan.

Citizens are examining eggs at a large supermarket in downtown Seoul. Photo by The Asia Business Daily

Notably, the Cheonan farm involved in the latest case has experienced three outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza since 2020. As a result, when calculating compensation for culling, only 80% of the livestock's appraised value will be paid. The Central Accident Management Headquarters is currently implementing disease control measures, including restricting farm access, culling, and conducting epidemiological investigations.

A 24-hour standstill order has been issued for all layer farms, livestock facilities, and livestock vehicles nationwide. The Central Accident Management Headquarters will conduct comprehensive inspections of all layer farms across the country until December 31. In addition, officials at the director level from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will be dispatched to Cheonan and Anseong-regions where recent outbreaks have occurred-to oversee disease control measures.

Kim Jungwook, Director General for Agricultural Innovation Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "With consecutive outbreaks of highly pathogenic AI at layer farms and heightened concerns about further cases, local governments across the country should promptly complete thorough inspections of all layer farms and strengthen guidance on disease control protocols for all poultry farm workers."