As winter migratory birds begin to arrive in South Korea, cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) detected in wild birds abroad have more than doubled. The government is taking proactive measures, from monitoring migratory birds to enhancing biosecurity on poultry farms.
The Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on October 6 that they are strengthening biosecurity measures to prevent the domestic influx and spread of the virus in response to the arrival of winter migratory birds and the increase in high-path AI cases abroad.
A survey conducted by the National Institute of Biological Resources from September 25 to 27 at 10 major migratory bird sites across the country found a total of 73 species of waterfowl, amounting to 57,036 birds. Compared to September of last year, the number of waterfowl in three areas, including the Han River estuary, Shihwa Lake, and Sapgyo Lake, increased by 53.1%, from 15,606 to 23,893.
Species of ducks, which are particularly susceptible to high-path AI, rose dramatically from 6,448 to 18,678, a 189.7% increase, nearly 2.9 times higher than last year. Notably, the number of ducks at Shihwa Lake surged from 4,226 to 14,180, a 235.5% increase.
The situation abroad is also concerning. According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the number of high-path AI detections in wild birds overseas rose from 1,432 cases from January to August last year to 2,957 cases during the same period this year, more than doubling.
Last winter, a total of 63 cases of high-path AI were confirmed in domestic wild birds, approximately 1.5 times more than the previous year. With the simultaneous increase in migratory bird arrivals and the diversification of virus types, the government is anticipating a higher risk this winter and is accelerating its monitoring efforts.
The Ministry of Environment has been conducting intensive monitoring at 22 initial landing sites for winter migratory birds and areas with a high risk of high-path AI detection since last month. The number of monitoring sites has been expanded from 102 to 112. The plan includes early detection of potential virus entry through fecal sampling and carcass searches.
International cooperation with countries like Mongolia and Japan is also being strengthened. The government plans to analyze migratory patterns and behaviors of birds using tracking devices and assess the genetic types of viruses found domestically to predict their entry and spread.
Since September 30, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has issued high-path AI risk alerts to poultry farms nationwide through a 'Migratory Bird Information Alert System.' Disinfection vehicles and drones are being used to sanitize roads and farm access routes near migratory bird sites, and 280 areas have been designated as restricted zones to prevent poultry vehicles from entering these regions.
If the high-path AI virus is detected in wild birds, a 10-kilometer radius around the site will be designated as a monitoring area. Access for people and vehicles will be restricted for 21 days, and enhanced biosecurity measures, including inspections of nearby poultry farms and intensive disinfection, will be implemented.
Lee Chae-eun, director of the Ministry of Environment's Nature Conservation Bureau, stated, "Although winter migratory birds have not yet fully arrived, the significant increase in duck populations and the rise in high-path AI detections abroad are concerning. This winter, proactive measures are more important than ever, and we will closely monitor the movement of migratory birds and the virus detection situation."
Kim Dong-woo, director of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' Biosecurity Policy Bureau, emphasized, "As the arrival of winter migratory birds intensifies in October, the risk of virus entry into poultry farms will also increase. Poultry farmers are urged to strictly adhere to basic biosecurity measures, including restricting access for external people and vehicles around their farms."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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