South Korea raises bird flu alert to 'serious' after Suncheon Bay wild-bird detection

The government said on 20 October that H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus was detected in wild bird droppings collected on 12 October at Suncheon Bay in Suncheon, Jeonnam-Gwangju. Newsis reported that the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said the virus was finally detected after precision testing by the National Institute of Wildlife Disease Control and Health. Hankook Ilbo reported that this is the first detection in wild bird droppings this winter, which it defined as September to April. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]

The government raised the national crisis alert from 'caution' to 'serious' on 20 October and activated the Central Incident Response Headquarters for avian influenza. Control rooms were set up in all local governments and the country moved to a 24-hour emergency response system. Asia Economy described 'serious' as the highest level. It also reported that the N subtype is to be confirmed in three to five days after further testing. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said it informed related agencies at once, began special surveillance within 10 km of the detection area, including a search for dead wild birds and a close survey of migratory birds, and asked local governments for on-site disinfection and access control. The agriculture ministry is applying movement control, precision tests and phone surveillance to poultry farms within 10 km, according to Asia Economy. Seoul Shinmun and Asia Economy reported that an area within 3 km is designated a special management zone with people and vehicles restricted, and that poultry farms and livestock facilities nationwide will be disinfected intensively for the coming week. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]

Lee Chae-eun, head of the nature conservation bureau at the climate ministry, said the most effective way to stop the spread is early detection and a quick response. Lee Dong-sik, head of the agriculture ministry's quarantine policy bureau, said the detection raised the risk of an outbreak on farms and asked poultry farmers to maintain strict quarantine. Officials said winter migratory birds began arriving in September, and Yonhap reported that foreign wild-bird detections in January to August numbered 2,957, against 1,432 a year earlier. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]

Newsis reported on 21 October, citing Jeonnam-Gwangju, that one poultry farm with about 60,000 quail lies within 10 km of the site and that precision testing found no abnormality. Newsis said the farm was placed under a 21-day movement restriction. It also reported a control post at the site, 133 disinfection vehicles and 25 hub disinfection facilities nearby, and 581 officials deployed to promote quarantine on poultry farms. Kukmin Ilbo added that foot disinfection baths and access control were put in place at Suncheon Bay wetland. [ 6 , 8 ]

Gyeongnam province said on 21 October that it would strengthen measures to block the virus. It set up a quarantine headquarters with the 18 cities and counties, restricted livestock vehicles at 14 points near 10 major migratory bird sites and ordered a ban on free-range rearing on all poultry farms. Newsis reported that violations can carry a fine of up to 10 million won. [ 7 ]

The government advised the public not to touch dead wild birds or birds behaving abnormally and to report them to local authorities, and to avoid migratory bird sites such as rivers, reservoirs and tidal flats. Those who must visit were asked to avoid contact with birds and to disinfect shoes and vehicles afterwards. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]