Gunsan-si, South Korea - October 14, 2024

South Korea has reported its first case of highly pathogenic H5N3 avian influenza detected in wild bird feces collected from the Mangyeong River in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on Thursday.

This marks the first confirmation of the H5N3 virus in South Korea and the first detection of an avian influenza virus in wild bird feces in eight months.

Access to the Mangyeong River - an area frequented by numerous migratory birds every year - has been restricted for vehicles and pedestrians, with warning signs posted to ensure safety.

The local epidemic prevention department has issued a three-week migration ban on 11 poultry farms within the 10-kilometer radius of the river area, and the agricultural ministry has elevated the bird flu crisis alert to the highest level.

The agricultural ministry aims to prevent the spread of the virus on approximately 550 duck farms nationwide before Oct 18, as well as increase the frequency of epidemic prevention inspections on egg farms from once every two weeks to every week.

The country is also facing other livestock disease challenges.

On Sunday, a pig farm in Hwacheon County of Gangwon Province reported the ninth outbreak of African swine fever in the country this year, marking the first outbreak of the virus in 44 days. In response, the government has culled more than 3,500 pigs in the farm and issued a 48-hour movement ban on livestock facilities in the local area and five surrounding regions.

On Thursday, Yangyang County of Gangwon reported the fourth outbreak of lumpy skin disease in the country this month.

In addition, a farm reported that five cows exhibited symptoms of nerve paralysis and died after suspected exposure to contaminated feed earlier this month. This follows an incident last month where dozens of cattle and sheep died from Clostridium botulinum infections on several farms across the country.

Shotlist:
Gunsan City, North Jeolla Province, South Korea - Oct 14, 2024:
1. Various of warning signs;
2. Various of birds, river;
FILE: Changnyeong County, South Korea - Date Unknown
3. Birds flying in sky;
FILE: Seoul, South Korea - Date Unknown
4. Shopper at supermarket;
5. Various of chicken for sale;
6. Various of eggs for sale at supermarket;
7. Customer selecting eggs;
FILE: Jeongeup City, South Korea - Date Unknown
8. Poultry farm;
FILE: Namwon City, South Korea - Date Unknown
9. Various of chickens at poultry farm;
FILE: Seoul, South Korea - Date Unknown
10. Various of meat for sale at supermarket, customers;
FILE: Gyeonggi-do, South Korea - Date Unknown
11. Farmland;
12. Various of cattle farm.

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