Operation of Special Control Period to Prevent Winter Livestock Infectious Diseases such as avian influenza (AI) and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Minister Chung Hwang-keun, MAFRA) has announced that it will establish a special epidemic prevention period for livestock infectious diseases, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), from October of this year until February of the next year to prevent the occurrence and spread of livestock infectious diseases.
Given the high likelihood* of the introduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza by infected migratory birds during the upcoming winter season, the Ministry will focus on basic prevention measures such as migratory bird control, on-farm disease prevention, and prevention of horizontal transmission between farms. This will be implemented by differentiated prevention management based on the risk level, subsidiary and farm-level responsibilitieThere has been a 14.7% increase in avian influenza cases among overseas wild birds from January to August this year (2,933 cases → 3,364). In September, avian influenza has been detected in wild birds in the Far East region (Sakhalin, Primorsky Krai) that are migrating to South Korea in late September to early October.s for disease prevention, and collaboration with the private sector.
There has been a 14.7% increase in avian influenza cases among overseas wild birds from January to August this year (2,933 cases → 3,364 cases). Avian influenza is often detected in wild birds in the Far East region (Sakhalin, Primorsky Krai) that are migrating to South Korea in late September to October.
In response to the increasing trend of avian influenza outbreaks, especially in the early winter season, the Ministry will expand inspections of bird droppings and other samples from 19 major migratory bird landing sites in October. This will increase the number of samples collected from 648 to 746.
Domestic poultry: November 8, 2021 → October 17, 2022 (-22 days), Wild birds: October 26, 2021 → October 10, 2022 (-16 days); Japanese poultry: November 10, 2021 → October 28, 2022 (-13 days), Japanese wild birds: November 11, 2021 → September 25, 2022 (-47 days)
The Ministry has proactively designated 24 areas that were previously outbreak-prone as “High-Risk Management Areas for Avian Influenza” for intensive management. Additionally, within the high-risk management zones, 692 farms with a high risk of disease outbreaks will be identified and subject to enhanced epidemic control measures.
To reduce the risk of avian influenza spread to egg-laying farms, which are significantly affected if exposed to the influenza, the Ministry will enhance regulations, such as the mandatory installation of disinfection facilities for farms with more than 100,000 birds. For ducks, which have been frequently associated with outbreaks, restrictions on raising ducks in high-risk farms (“vacation system”) will be implemented.
