(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Jae-young = The Central Avian Influenza Response Headquarters announced on the 29th that the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) virus was detected in the feces of wild birds collected from the lower reaches of the Mangyeong River in Okseo-myeon, Gunsan City, North Jeolla Province, on the 27th.
This is the first detection of a highly pathogenic AI virus in wild birds (feces) during this winter season (from September to April of the following year), although low-pathogenic AI viruses have been detected before.
The possibility of detecting a highly pathogenic AI virus domestically had increased as a highly pathogenic AI virus was detected for the first time this winter season in a wild hawk in Hokkaido, Japan, on the 15th.
The authorities are conducting a search for dead wild birds and a detailed inspection of migratory birds within a 10 km radius of the area where the highly pathogenic AI virus was detected, and have requested emergency quarantine measures from local governments.
Enhanced quarantine measures, including movement control, detailed inspections, and telephone surveillance, will be implemented for poultry farms within a 10 km radius.
In particular, access by people and vehicles will be completely blocked within a 3 km radius of the riverside in the migratory bird arrival area of the lower reaches of the Mangyeong River to prevent the spread of the virus.
A highly pathogenic AI outbreak occurred at a small poultry farm in Gwangju on the 21st, and the AI alert level was raised to serious on the 27th.
Jeong-rok Choi, Director of the Disease Control Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, "This year, highly pathogenic AI has occurred at poultry farms somewhat earlier than usual," and emphasized that "all poultry farms must strictly adhere to quarantine guidelines."
The general public should also report any dead birds or individuals showing abnormal behavior to local governments or the National Wildlife Disease Management Center promptly to prevent the spread of AI.
jylee24@yna.co.kr