The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said on the 21st that an H5 avian influenza (AI) antigen was detected at a small-scale other poultry farm in Gwangju.

Gwangju city implements measures against highly pathogenic avian influenza./Courtesy of Gwangju City

During the special quarantine period, the ministry detected the AI antigen in a routine surveillance test of the farm.

Because an H5 AI antigen detection is likely to be deemed highly pathogenic, the ministry has deployed an initial response team to the farm to control access and is carrying out quarantine measures such as culling and an epidemiological investigation in accordance with the Avian Influenza Quarantine Implementation Guidelines and the Avian Influenza Emergency Action Guidelines.

It also plans to issue a standstill order for poultry farms nationwide, related livestock facilities, and livestock vehicles from 11 p.m. today to 11 p.m. on the 22nd.

The ministry urged, "If livestock farmers confirm suspected symptoms of highly pathogenic AI, such as increased mortality among poultry being raised or a drop in laying rates, please report to the quarantine authorities."

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