Press Release

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Avian Influenza Pandemic: Keep Your Distance From Birds

Date:
2020-12-27
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▷ There is concern over the potential spread of avian influenza (AI), as occurences have been observed at home and abroad and winter migratory birds are arriving.

▷ The Ministry of Environment is expanding the forecasting of migratory birds' seasonal homes and strengthening responses through quicker responses, etc.

▷ We ask the people's cooperation in refraining from hiking or fishing near migratory birds' seasonal homes


The Ministry of Environment (Minister Cho Myung-rae) said that response measures such as expanding the forecasting of migratory birds' seasonal homes are being put into place to prevent local transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza(HPAI) that is spreading across the world.


According to recent OIE* reports, global avian influenza occurences in 2017 was at 2,100 cases, dropping to 540 in 2018 and 234 in 2019. However, since January this year, a spike of more than 1000 cases mostly in Europe and Asia (422 wild bird occurences) have been observed.  


* OIE : World Organisation for Animal Health


(Uni : number of occurences)  2020  2019  2018  2017  2016  2015    wild birds  422  27  151  864  228  77  Domestic poultry  652  207  389  1,236  780  1,581  Total  1,074  234  540  2,100  1,008  1,658
 

Of special note is after November 2020, dead birds due to HPAI were observed in the North Sea coastal regions, such as Germany (381 cases), Denmark (73 cases), the UK (59 cases), and the Netherlands (44 cases). 


Domestically, HPAI cases as of December 23rd were 37 wild bird cases and 22 domestic poultry cases, spread throughout the nation.


The domestic AI cases this year show high similarity to overseas AI types. The analysis of year's domestic cases show that they are more closely linked with overseas occurance seasons, rather than it being the result of yearly trend.


※ The H5HN8 genotype AI, which were observed in Europe until March this year, show a 98.88~99.8% homology with the AI virus found domestically at the Bonggangcheon, Cheongmicheon, and Bokhacheon sites.


The Ministry of Environment has strengthened responses against and called for special attention against AI from December, when migratory birds from the Siberian region are expected to migrate south, to February of next year, they are expected to migrate north.


As part of preemptive measures against AI, forcasting of migratory birds' homes has been strengthened and the number of observers have been increased*. 


* Forecasting Observation Stations (63→87 spots), Forecasting Spots (40,000→55,000 spots), Observers (23→43 observers)


The National Wildlife Diseas Control Center (NWDCC) is conducting daily inspections for systemic forecasting, which is in operation through the cooperation of several institutions*. The NWDCC is also conducting priority forecasting of areas where AI occurences have been found. 


* Ministry of Environment (NWDCC, river basin and regional environmental offices). Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Livestock Health Control Association)


Special attention is being paid to expedite preventive measures through quick communication of information to municipalities and relevant agencies if AI is observed in wild birds. Information about migratory birds such as anatines are kept up to date among relevant parties as well.


Ministry of Environment Conservation Policy Director Park Yeon-jae said, "These are difficult times due to COVID-19, the African swine fever, etc., but we are doing our utmost to preempt the spread of AI by strengthening forecasting measures and by inspecting our preventive measures,"


Adding, "In order to help prevent the domestic spread of AI, we ask the people to refrain from hiking or fishing in migratory birds' seasonal homes."