“H5 avian influenza antigen detected at duck farm in Jangheung” ... Gwangju Special City launches emergency containment measures

【Financial News, Jeonnam-Gwangju = Reporter Hwang Tae-jong】Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City (Gwangju Special City) has launched emergency biosecurity measures, including restricting access to and disinfecting the farm and limiting movement, after an H5-type avian influenza (AI) antigen was detected at a meat-duck farm in Busan-myeon, Jangheung.
 Lee Young-nam, head of Gwangju Special City's Animal Disease Control Division, said, “As highly pathogenic avian influenza continues to be detected in wild birds and avian influenza antigens are also being found on farms, we are doing everything we can to prevent further outbreaks,” adding, “I urge livestock farmers to remain vigilant, strictly follow biosecurity protocols, and do their utmost to prevent HPAI.”
 According to Gwangju Special City on the 6th, the farm raises around 20,000 meat ducks that are 28 days old. After the farm reported deaths, the Special City's Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory conducted detailed tests, which confirmed an H5-type AI antigen on the 5th.
 The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) is conducting detailed tests to determine whether the virus is highly pathogenic, and the tests are expected to take about 1–3 days.
 Immediately after the antigen was detected, Gwangju Special City deployed two members of the Livestock Health Control Association's initial response team to restrict access to the farm and disinfect it.
 To prevent further spread, it also implemented livestock-disposal measures at the farm where the antigen was detected and designated an area within a 10-kilometer radius as a control zone, imposing movement restrictions and conducting disinfection and surveillance. It also plans to conduct detailed testing across all duck farms.
 Gwangju Special City also issued an order temporarily suspending movement for 24 hours, from 11 p.m. on the 5th to 11 p.m. on the 6th, covering duck farms and affiliated companies in the Jeonnam-Gwangju region, livestock facilities such as slaughterhouses and feed mills, and livestock transport vehicles. It will also carry out comprehensive disinfection at poultry farms and livestock-related facilities.
 Meanwhile, from last year through this year to date, 62 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in nine provinces and metropolitan cities nationwide. Of these, 11 cases were reported in five cities and counties in the Jeonnam-Gwangju region.

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