Seoul: South Korea will bolster quarantine efforts to prevent further spread of avian influenza (AI) during the cold season, authorities said Friday. The Central Disaster Management Headquarters (CDMH) reported that six cases of highly contagious AI have been confirmed at poultry farms and 10 AI cases among wild birds since the cold season began. The first case was detected at a poultry farm in Paju, approximately 40 kilometers northwest of Seoul, in September.
According to Yonhap News Agency, in November alone, four cases of highly pathogenic AI were detected at poultry farms, with an additional seven cases reported among wild birds. The CDMH has conducted detailed examinations of soil and wild bird feather samples collected from migratory bird habitats, rivers, and areas near affected farms, revealing substantial contamination across these locations.
The environment ministry's survey on winter migratory birds showed that 1.33 million birds migrated into the country in November, marking a 111.4 percent increase from the previous month. This surge in migratory bird populations has heightened concerns over the further spread of AI.
In response to the situation, authorities plan to enhance quarantine measures at poultry farms nationwide. This will involve deploying all available disinfection vehicles for intensive disinfection operations and conducting special inspections in high-risk cities and counties with high poultry density and a history of past outbreaks.