The Korea Herald

지나쌤

Korea free from highly pathogenic AI: govt.

By Yonhap

Published : Oct. 16, 2017 - 16:34

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South Korea said it is free of highly pathogenic avian influenza as new cases of H5N6 and H5N8 strains haven't been discovered in the nation over the last three months, the government said Monday.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said it acquired the AI clean status on Oct. 13 and notified the World Organization for Animal Health.

Since the last outbreak of highly pathogenic AI on June 19, quarantine authorities have carried out culling, disinfection and cleanup in areas infected with the virus to prevent further outbreaks.

Quarantine authorities disinfect an outdoor park along the Han River against avian influenza on Oct. 15, 2017. (Yonhap) Quarantine authorities disinfect an outdoor park along the Han River against avian influenza on Oct. 15, 2017. (Yonhap)

Monitoring at 4,380 livestock farms and 237 outdoor traditional markets has shown no evidence that the highly pathogenic AI virus is present in the nation.

"Although we have recovered the AI clean status, we have been conducting special quarantine measures since Oct. 1 under the premise that highly pathogenic AI could break out at any time," the ministry said in a release. (Yonhap)