(Cheongju=Yonhap News) Reporter Jeon Chang-hae = On the 18th, the North Chungcheong Provincial Government announced that it has issued 'Special Order No. 5' to 11 cities and counties within the province to strengthen the prevention of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) and African swine fever (ASF).
This follows the recent confirmation of the highly pathogenic AI virus in wild birds in the Byeongcheon River in Cheongju, the detection of H5 type AI antigen in a turkey farm in Yeongdong the previous day, and the detection of ASF in wild boars in Wonju City, Gangwon Province, an adjacent region.
Governor Kim Young-hwan, through the special order, urged the implementation of prevention and control measures for AI and ASF by blocking entry routes, strengthening farm inspections, and taking immediate action in the event of an illegal movement of animals.
The order also requested the control of farm access for outsiders and vehicles, and the strengthening of on-site inspection of prevention sites by senior officials.
The province is conducting farm disinfection and inspection activities, focusing on migratory bird arrival areas, poultry farms near water bodies, and high-risk vulnerable areas.
In areas around the detection of wild boars, they are simultaneously spraying repellents and searching for dead bodies using drones.
Furthermore, the plan is to urgently deploy disinfection drugs, hydrated lime, and wild boar repellents, among other prevention materials, with a reserve fund of 200 million won.
jeonch@yna.co.kr