H5 Avian Influenza Antigen Detected at Meat Duck Farm in Naju

Jeollanam-do Deploys Initial Quarantine Team
Access Control and Rapid Culling Implemented
Intensive Surveillance and Disinfection Within 10km Radius
Strict Quarantine Urged for Poultry Farms
Naju City Postpones "Conversation with Residents" Event

On the 8th, H5 avian influenza (AI) antigen was detected at a meat duck farm in Dasimyeon, Naju, Jeollanam-do. Provided by Jeollanam-do

On January 8, Jeollanam-do announced that the H5 avian influenza (AI) antigen was detected at a meat duck farm in Dasimyeon, Naju, and that immediate initial quarantine measures were taken along with strengthened on-site management.

The farm is raising approximately 27,000 meat ducks. The farm owner reported an increase in duck deaths to the quarantine authorities. After collecting samples and conducting a detailed examination at the Jeollanam-do Animal Hygiene Testing Institute, the H5 avian influenza antigen was detected. The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency is currently determining whether the virus is highly pathogenic.

Upon detection of the H5 avian influenza antigen, Jeollanam-do immediately deployed an initial quarantine team (two members) from the Livestock Sanitation and Quarantine Support Headquarters to enforce access control and disinfection measures at the farm.

To prevent further spread and enable early detection of infected individuals, thorough inspections are being conducted on poultry farms within a 10-kilometer quarantine zone around the affected farm, as well as on farms, facilities, and vehicles visited by people or vehicles that have entered the outbreak site. Two on-site support officials from the province have also been dispatched to carry out a detailed investigation into the cause of the outbreak.

To block further spread, Jeollanam-do plans to carry out preemptive culling at the affected farm, thoroughly clean and disinfect the area, and implement strict post-management to prevent environmental contamination in surrounding regions.

For the associated company, duck farms in Jeollanam-do, and related livestock facilities (such as slaughterhouses and feed factories), as well as livestock transport vehicles, a 24-hour standstill order has been issued until midnight on January 9. Comprehensive disinfection of all poultry farms and related livestock facilities is being conducted, and compliance is being monitored.

As of January 9, a total of 33 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported nationwide, with six cases in Jeollanam-do occurring in Naju and Yeongam.

Yoo Deokgyu, Director of the Agriculture, Livestock and Food Bureau of Jeollanam-do, said, "To prevent further spread, poultry farms and related livestock facilities must thoroughly clean and disinfect both the interior and exterior of farms, facilities, and vehicles to eliminate all possible risk factors for avian influenza transmission. Poultry farmers must strictly adhere to basic quarantine protocols with the mindset that 'I protect my own farm.'"

Meanwhile, Naju City has urgently postponed the "Conversation with Residents" event, originally scheduled to take place on January 9 in Dasimyeon and Munpyeong-myeon, to January 21, following the additional detection of the avian influenza (AI) antigen at a duck farm in Dasimyeon.