(Seogwipo=Yonhap News) Reporter Park Ji-ho = Seogwipo City announced on the 1st that it will enter a special avian influenza (AI) prevention period until February 28, 2026.
The special prevention measures are being taken as the risk of infectious disease outbreaks increases during the winter migratory bird season, especially after a highly pathogenic AI outbreak occurred earlier than usual on September 12 at a native chicken farm in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, raising concerns about early spread.
Accordingly, Seogwipo City has been implementing strengthened blockade prevention measures since last month 22, including administrative orders prohibiting entry to migratory bird arrival sites, and announcing two-step disinfection standards for vehicles entering and exiting farms.
During the special prevention period, strengthened prevention measures will be implemented, focusing on migratory bird arrival sites, livestock-related personnel, and poultry farms to block risk factors.
Additionally, the Special Prevention Situation Room for Malignant Animal Infectious Diseases will operate 24 hours a day, and three control posts will be operated in Seongsan O-Jori to block the spread of infectious diseases to livestock farms.
Furthermore, entry to migratory bird arrival sites is prohibited for livestock vehicles and personnel, and disinfection at a central disinfection facility is mandatory before entering a farm. Poultry farms are required to prohibit free-range farming and must report and undergo thorough inspections before shipment.
The city plans to intensively promote blockade prevention to homecoming and tourist visitors during the Chuseok holiday, and designate the days before and after the holiday as mass disinfection days. Support for disinfection will be provided to small farms and vulnerable areas, while livestock farms and related facilities will be required to conduct self-mass disinfection.