By Na Jeong-ju
Gangwon Province is strengthening quarantine measures around livestock farms after a case of avian influenza was reported at a goose farm in Hoengseong Saturday.
This is the first confirmed case of bird flu in the mountainous region. When Korea suffered an outbreak in February, no cases were found in Hoengseong.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Sunday, farmers killed about 1,000 geese and chickens at the site and nearby farms over the weekend.
"We are taking measures to prevent the disease from spreading into nearby regions," said a ministry official. "All cars and trucks going in and out of livestock farms were disinfected at 19 checkpoints set up immediately after the bird flu case was confirmed."
"We've also told farmers not to relocate their animals or move farming tools out of their farms," the official said.
The case in Hoengseong came as the government was set to announce later this month that an earlier outbreak was completely under control.
No virus should be found in a test conducted at least 30 days after the last slaughter in order for the government to confirm that avian influenza has been eradicated. Given the time needed for the testing, about 35 to 40 days is needed for such a declaration.
In February, more than 13.8 million birds were slaughtered after an outbreak on a goose farm. At the time, officials here said the virus might have come from migratory birds.
Health officials have said the bird flu poses no immediate threat to humans, with no human infection of the strain reported so far here.
Gangwon Province is strengthening quarantine measures around livestock farms after a case of avian influenza was reported at a goose farm in Hoengseong Saturday.
This is the first confirmed case of bird flu in the mountainous region. When Korea suffered an outbreak in February, no cases were found in Hoengseong.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Sunday, farmers killed about 1,000 geese and chickens at the site and nearby farms over the weekend.
"We are taking measures to prevent the disease from spreading into nearby regions," said a ministry official. "All cars and trucks going in and out of livestock farms were disinfected at 19 checkpoints set up immediately after the bird flu case was confirmed."
"We've also told farmers not to relocate their animals or move farming tools out of their farms," the official said.
The case in Hoengseong came as the government was set to announce later this month that an earlier outbreak was completely under control.
No virus should be found in a test conducted at least 30 days after the last slaughter in order for the government to confirm that avian influenza has been eradicated. Given the time needed for the testing, about 35 to 40 days is needed for such a declaration.
In February, more than 13.8 million birds were slaughtered after an outbreak on a goose farm. At the time, officials here said the virus might have come from migratory birds.
Health officials have said the bird flu poses no immediate threat to humans, with no human infection of the strain reported so far here.
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