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In the past hour South Korea's CDC and MAFRA have posted a joint release that confirms the H5 virus detected in cats last week to be HPAI H5N1. As a result, authorities have announced a wide-scale quarantine and surveillance operation.
The (translated) statement follows.This statement, combined with the last report from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, are indications of how seriously they are taking the threat.
Implementation of quarantine measures following the confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza in cats in Gwanak-gu, Seoul2023.07.31 20:00:00 Avian Influenza Prevention Division, Quarantine Policy Bureau
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs ( Minister Jeong Hwang-geun , hereinafter the Ministry of Agriculture and Food ) announced that highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 type ) was confirmed in a cat at an animal shelter in Gwanak-gu, Seoul .
The cat was admitted to the veterinary hospital with respiratory symptoms, etc. , and died during treatment, and the head of the veterinary hospital reported it to the Agriculture, Forestry and Livestock Quarantine Headquarters . As a result of the confirmation test of the test sample at the Agriculture, Forestry and Livestock Quarantine Headquarters, it was finally confirmed as highly pathogenic avian influenza on July 31 , 2023 .
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs promptly shared and disseminated the outbreak situation to related organizations such as the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the Ministry of Environment , and local governments as soon as the confirmed case was confirmed , and emergency quarantine measures such as washing and disinfection , access control , and epidemiological investigation of the area through local governments and quarantine areas (10 km) My ) Surveillance and inspection of susceptible animal breeding facilities and epidemiological-related people and facilities are being conducted .
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( Chairman Ji Young-mi ) is promptly implementing measures to prevent human infection of avian influenza, such as contact investigation of cats, together with the competent local government . None of the contacts identified so far have symptoms , and contacts classified as high-risk will be closely monitored for symptoms for a maximum incubation period of 10 days from the date of last contact .
The Ministry of Environment ( Minister Han Hwa-jin ) is conducting a survey on avian influenza (AI) infections in wild birds, including resident birds, focusing on migratory bird habitats near highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) outbreak areas , and is conducting a survey on avian influenza (AI) infections in wild birds , including local birds. Cooperation was requested for reporting carcasses ( including mammals ) .
* Report : Government Civil Complaint Information Call Center (110) and National Wildlife Disease Management Service (062-949-4381/ 4390)
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs implements quarantine measures as the second case of highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed in a cat .
In order to identify the actual conditions of infection in cats and analyze the cause of occurrence, the entire city of Seoul (25 cities , counties , and districts ), 5 cities, counties , and districts within the quarantine area ( within 10 km ) , and 24 cities and counties with highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks
・The actual status of avian influenza infection in stray cats in the city will be investigated from August 1st to August 20th , and it is planned to carry out surveillance and inspection of cat breeding grounds , etc.
In addition , a simultaneous surveillance and inspection of susceptible animals such as cats in animal shelters is carried out until August 8 , and wild birds ( including resident birds ) are monitored for a month in August in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, focusing on the outbreak area, surroundings, and nearby habitats for migratory birds . * Strengthen surveillance inspections .
* ( Catch test ) 35 cases / month → 90 cases / month , ( Faecal examination ) 25 cases / month → 100 cases / month
Promote biosecurity rules in animal protection and production facilities through local governments and related organizations to prevent and block highly pathogenic avian influenza , prohibit access to wild birds ( including stray cats ) and install and inspect blocking networks for poultry farms Through this, we plan to do everything possible to prevent the vector from entering the farmhouse .
In addition, for nearby poultry farms in local governments, disinfection vehicles and joint control teams are intensively disinfecting access roads to poultry farms and main movement lines of livestock vehicles.
The government announced that it would do its best to prevent human infection while closely cooperating with local governments to prevent further outbreaks .
Attachment 1. Guidance on prevention of avian influenza human infection in daily life
2. AI infection prevention rules for veterinarians , animal shelter managers, etc.
