Acting Gyeonggi Governor Oh Byeong-gwon Inspects AI Emergency Quarantine Site, Urges "Airtight Quarantine Measures"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Acting Gyeonggi Governor Oh Byeong-gwon visited a key disinfection facility in Hyangnam-eup, Hwaseong, on the 26th to inspect the avian influenza (AI) quarantine situation.

This on-site inspection was conducted in response to the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza confirmed on the 23rd at two layer farms in Hwaseong, with the aim of further strengthening quarantine measures to prevent additional spread.

On that day, Acting Governor Oh, together with provincial and Hwaseong city officials, carefully examined the quarantine management situation, encouraged those working on quarantine prevention measures in the field, and ordered thorough, airtight quarantine efforts.

Acting Governor Oh stated, "With the Lunar New Year holidays approaching, there are concerns about livestock disease transmission due to holiday visitors returning to hometowns," and instructed, "Mobilize all available administrative resources to prevent further spread and strengthen quarantine posture."

He added, "Active cooperation from farms and strict surveillance and quarantine activities by quarantine authorities are the key to preventing AI outbreaks. I urge farmers to strictly follow quarantine guidelines and report any suspected livestock cases immediately to quarantine authorities."

Meanwhile, emergency culling was conducted on 430,000 layer chickens at the two AI-affected farms in Hwaseong and 380,000 birds at three nearby farms. An epidemiological investigation was launched, including clinical surveillance and precision testing of vehicles that visited the affected farms, epidemiologically related farms, and farms within the quarantine zone.

In addition, control checkpoints were established at the affected farms to regulate vehicle and personnel access, and 18 disinfection vehicles were mobilized to carry out disinfection of nearby areas.

The province is also conducting intensive disinfection on major roads and poultry farms in five neighboring cities including Anseong, and has begun preemptive quarantine measures including precision inspections of 214 layer farms throughout the province by the 27th.

Additionally, ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays, the province will operate the livestock quarantine situation room at the North Office Building on a 24-hour basis from January 29th to February 2nd, further strengthening the emergency response system in coordination with related agencies including the provincial animal health testing laboratory, cities and counties, and agricultural cooperatives.

During the holiday period, the province plans to operate 32 key disinfection facilities and will take all measures for quarantine prevention including livestock vehicle control and disinfection. Additionally, the province plans to promote quarantine guidelines such as farm disinfection and proper conduct for farm visitors through available channels including social media, text messages, and community broadcasting.