Jeju Confirms First Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds This Winter... Quarantine Authorities on High Alert

H5N1 Detected in Sihung-ri, Seongsan-eup
Movement Restrictions Imposed on Poultry Farms Within 10km Radius

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Government Building Exterior.

For the first time this winter, highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) has been detected in wild birds in the Jeju region, prompting quarantine authorities to launch an emergency response. In particular, this virus is known to be more transmissible than previous strains, raising alarms about the need to prevent its entry into local poultry farms.

The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province announced on January 12 that a detailed examination of wild bird fecal samples collected from the coastal area of Sihung-ri, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo City on January 5 confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1).

This is the first case confirmed in wild birds in Jeju during this winter season. On the same day, the H5 antigen was also detected in wild bird feces collected from Yongsu Reservoir in Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju City, and a detailed examination is currently underway.

Nationwide, the spread continues, with 34 cases of highly pathogenic AI reported at poultry farms in six provinces and 24 cases in wild birds across 11 provinces. Given that AI outbreaks typically surge in December and peak in January, Jeju is also on high alert.

In response, Jeju Province immediately activated its Avian Influenza Emergency Action Guidelines (AI SOP). The area within a 10-kilometer radius of the antigen detection site has been designated as a 'wild bird surveillance zone,' and movement restrictions have been imposed on 16 commercial-scale poultry farms within this area.

Quarantine authorities are conducting emergency phone surveillance and comprehensive inspections to check for abnormalities at each farm, and no unusual findings have been reported so far. For farms within the quarantine zone, movement restrictions will be lifted starting January 27, 21 days after sample collection, provided they test negative through clinical surveillance and detailed examination. However, farms that need to move poultry for unavoidable reasons, such as shipment, may do so on a limited basis if they test negative in advance.

Additionally, the province has completely blocked access for livestock vehicles and related personnel to migratory bird habitats, and is deploying all available equipment, such as large-scale sprayers and disinfection vehicles, to disinfect detection sites, surrounding roads, and farm entrances and exits on a daily basis.

Kim Hyungeun, Director of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food of Jeju Province, stated, "This season's highly pathogenic AI virus is believed to be more than ten times as infectious and transmissible as previous strains," emphasizing, "Stronger disinfection and access control are needed now more than ever."

He further urged, "Please strictly follow basic rules such as daily disinfection inside and outside farms and changing boots, with the mindset that 'I protect my own farm,'" and requested, "We also ask residents to refrain from visiting migratory bird habitats to help prevent the spread of AI."