10-Kilometer Quarantine Zone Established
Movement Restrictions and Disinfection Measures Implemented
Three Cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in Jeollanam-do
On the 27th, an H5 subtype avian influenza (AI) antigen was detected at a meat duck farm located in Dobo-myeon, Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do, prompting immediate initial quarantine measures. Provided by Jeonnam Province
On December 27, Jeollanam-do announced that an H5 subtype avian influenza (AI) antigen was detected at a meat duck farm located in Dopomyeon, Yeongam County, and that immediate initial quarantine measures were taken to strengthen efforts to prevent further outbreaks.
The farm in question raises approximately 33,000 meat ducks, and the H5 antigen was detected during a routine surveillance inspection at the rearing stage.
The National Institute of Animal Science and Quarantine is currently conducting a detailed test to determine whether the virus is highly pathogenic, and it is expected to take about one to three days for a final diagnosis.
Upon confirmation of the antigen, Jeollanam-do immediately dispatched two members of the initial quarantine team from the Livestock Sanitation and Quarantine Support Headquarters to control access to the farm and implement disinfection and other quarantine measures.
A 10-kilometer radius around the affected farm has been designated as a quarantine zone, with movement restrictions in place, as well as intensive disinfection and both clinical and detailed inspections being carried out.
In addition, the province has begun a thorough investigation into the cause of the outbreak by promptly culling the affected birds and dispatching two on-site support officials. Farms in adjacent areas and those with potential epidemiological links are also being subjected to rapid detailed inspections to preemptively block the possibility of additional cases.
Jeollanam-do has issued a 24-hour standstill order for all related companies, duck farms within the province, and related livestock facilities (such as slaughterhouses and feed mills), as well as livestock vehicles, from 12:00 p.m. on December 27 to 12:00 p.m. on December 28. In addition, a comprehensive disinfection is being carried out at all poultry farms and livestock-related facilities.
Park Hyunsik, Director of the Agriculture, Livestock and Food Bureau of Jeollanam-do, stated, "The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus circulating this winter is significantly more infectious than in previous years, and even a very small amount of the virus can spread within a farm, making this a grave situation. We ask that everyone strictly adhere to basic biosecurity measures, including controlling access for people and vehicles, disinfection, and the operation of entry control rooms."
As of this date, there have been 23 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza reported nationwide, with three cases confirmed in Jeollanam-do-one in Naju and two in Yeongam.
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