Rapid Response with Initial Quarantine Team Deployment and Access Control
On December 29, Jeonnam Province announced that the H5-type avian influenza (AI) antigen had been detected at a laying hen farm located in Bonghwang-myeon, Naju. The province immediately launched initial quarantine measures to prevent further outbreaks and is implementing a range of disease control actions.
The farm in question raises approximately 49,000 laying hens. The farm owner reported to the quarantine authorities after noticing a decline in the egg-laying rate.
The Jeonnam Provincial Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory collected samples and, upon conducting a detailed examination, detected the H5-type avian influenza antigen. Whether the virus is highly pathogenic is currently being determined by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, with the final results expected in about one to three days.
Upon receiving the suspected case report, Jeonnam Province immediately dispatched two members of the Initial Quarantine Team from the Livestock Hygiene Quarantine Support Headquarters to control access to the farm and carry out disinfection. Since the farm is located within an existing quarantine zone where previous outbreaks occurred, the quarantine area is being maintained, and movement restrictions, disinfection, and monitoring are ongoing. In addition, two provincial field support officers have been sent to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the outbreak.
To prevent further spread, Jeonnam Province plans to carry out preemptive culling, as well as thorough post-management, including cleaning, disinfection, and blocking environmental contamination in surrounding areas. A 24-hour standstill order has been issued for all laying hen farms, related livestock facilities (such as slaughterhouses and feed factories), and livestock vehicles in Jeonnam and Gwangju regions, effective until 12:00 p.m. on December 30. Comprehensive disinfection is also being conducted at poultry farms and related livestock facilities.
As of December 29, there have been 24 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza nationwide, with four cases confirmed in Yeongam and Naju in Jeonnam Province.
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