The Central Accident Control Headquarters for highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) said on the 25th that highly pathogenic AI occurred at a farm in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, that raises 250,000 laying hens.
At laying hen farms, highly pathogenic AI was confirmed for three consecutive days, on the 23rd in Eumseong County, North Chungcheong, and on the 24th in Anseong, Gyeonggi.
The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency assessed the infectivity and pathogenicity of this highly pathogenic AI virus (serotype H5N1) and found that its infectivity is more than 10 times higher than in previous years. This means that even a small amount of the virus can easily spread highly pathogenic AI.
The Central Accident Control Headquarters will operate a disease control response task force (TF) and dispatch Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Director-level personnel to 11 high-risk areas, including Gyeonggi, South Chungcheong, North Chungcheong, North Jeolla, and Sejong, where additional outbreaks are a concern.
They will also conduct a special seven-day inspection of laying hen farms in Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek, and Anseong in Gyeonggi, and Cheonan in South Chungcheong, where the risk is particularly high.
If highly pathogenic AI breaks out on a large scale, egg prices could become more expensive. According to livestock distribution information from the Korea Institute for Animal Products Quality Evaluation, the nationwide average consumer price for a tray of 30 extra-large eggs is 6,835 won. That is about 5% higher than a normal year. In Gwangju, Sejong, Gangwon, South Chungcheong, and Jeju, prices have surpassed the 7,000-won level.