The Central Disaster Management Headquarters for highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) said on the 21st that AI occurred at a meat duck farm in Naju, South Jeolla.
The farm was raising about 23,000 ducks, and highly pathogenic AI was detected in a routine surveillance test conducted before shipment for slaughter. This is the 16th case at a domestic poultry farm this winter season.
The headquarters implemented quarantine measures immediately after confirming the antigen. In addition, to prevent further spread, it plans to conduct detailed tests on 55 poultry farms within a 10-kilometer radius of the affected farm and on 35 farms, facilities, and vehicles epidemiologically linked to the affected farm.
The headquarters also decided to conduct detailed tests from the 22nd to the 31st on 63 duck farms in Naju and Yeongam, South Jeolla, the affected area, and on 145 duck-raising farms operated by the company to which the affected farm belongs.
It also said that among the duck-raising farms affiliated with the company, 78 farms vulnerable to quarantine will undergo quarantine inspections by the 24th.
In addition, the company will raise the inspection rate at the slaughter stage at its slaughterhouses from 60% to 80%. Previously, only 6 out of every 10 ducks slaughtered underwent AI testing, but going forward, that number will be increased to 8 to strengthen safety.