Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock and Food of South Korea stated that the H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus was detected in the feces of wild birds in Cheonan City, South Korea. This is also the first time that South Korea has been highly pathogenic after two and eight months. bird flu virus.
Cheonan City, in the central region of South Korea, is about a two-hour drive from downtown Seoul. The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in the Tianan area was detected in the stool samples of wild birds in this area.
Because it is very close to the scene, for safety reasons, reporters must wear masks at the scene.
At present, in front of the road leading to this area, a warning line has been pulled up and warning signs have been set up. The warning signs are to the effect that according to the law, the detection of bird flu virus areas prohibits vehicles and people from entering and leaving.
Across the road from the area where highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected this time is a poultry farm. Now the gate is closed, and the sign in front of it says “emergency epidemic prevention”. The reporter learned that there are seven poultry farms nearby, and they are all very close to each other.
At present, relevant Korean authorities have issued a three-week ban on poultry movement at 188 poultry farms within 10 kilometers of the area where the avian influenza virus was detected , and set up checkpoints to disinfect vehicles and equipment entering and leaving the farms.
At the same time, the sale of poultry at the local vegetable market in Cheonan City was also suspended, and the circulation of live ducks and chickens less than 70 days old was banned in Korean national vegetable markets and farmhouses.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is an acute infectious disease that occurs in wild birds and poultry, and has a high mortality rate. Since this virus is very prone to mutation, it is difficult to prevent it by vaccinating in advance.
Not only in the Cheonan area, on the 28th, the H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus was detected in the feces of wild birds in Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province, about 60 kilometers away from Cheonan City. However, there are no reports from the Korean media on whether this virus will infect humans.
As of this month, there are about 600,000 migratory birds in South Korea, and the number will continue to increase with the arrival of winter.
At present, the South Korean Ministry of Environment has raised the level of response to highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds to the highest “severity level” .
This week, it will conduct emergency inspections and strengthen management of 46 major migratory bird habitats throughout South Korea. Korean society is worried that if the bird flu epidemic spreads, it will once again affect the supply of chicken, eggs and other poultry foods, thereby triggering price fluctuations.
