Gyeonggi Province Holds Task Force Meeting on AI Response Safety Policies

Gyeonggi Province held a Task Force Meeting on AI Response Safety Policies for strengthening quarantine measures and response to highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) on the 22nd at the situation room of the North Chungcheong Provincial Government Office, presided over by Kim Hee-gyeom, Vice Governor for Administration of Gyeonggi Province.

The meeting was held to establish measures to prevent AI spread within Gyeonggi Province and formulate quarantine countermeasures, coinciding with the timing of AI test results from Anseong duck farms amid concerns about nationwide spread following recent confirmed AI cases in Jeollabuk-do region. The meeting was attended by approximately 20 representatives from seven agencies including Gyeonggi Province, the Gyeonggi Regional Police Agency, the Provincial Fire and Disaster Management Headquarters, the Gyeonggi Province Quarantine and Hygiene Support Headquarters, and military units.

At the meeting, the seven agencies agreed to maintain close cooperation, share AI crisis situations between agencies, and jointly pursue effective quarantine measures and cooperation initiatives.

As the province estimated that AI was highly likely transmitted through wild migratory birds, it has strengthened public awareness campaigns discouraging visits to migratory bird habitats and enhanced quarantine measures at poultry farms near these areas. To detect AI early, the province operates a surveillance system by farm and has provided 460 tons of quicklime for disinfection at farm entrances and 31 large-scale disaster prevention equipment.

Furthermore, in preparation for thorough AI prevention, the Gyeonggi Province Safety Administration and Forestry Department have coordinated to establish and refine situation management procedures and emergency contact networks for crisis level escalation. The province has been on emergency standby since January 18th by expanding and operating a situation management team under the North Provincial Government's Safety and General Affairs Division.

Vice Governor Kim Hee-gyeom stated, "All agencies within the province must unite their administrative capabilities and expertise to block AI transmission," and urged, "In particular, each agency must do its utmost in external communications to ensure that false information regarding AI does not spread."