Yongin City Restricts Access Through Nov. 15 After Highly Pathogenic AI Detected at Cheongmicheon

Biosecurity measures tightened for 1.163 million poultry at 29 farms in Baegam and Wonsam
Early shipment planned for 19,000 chickens at a nearby farm; surveillance to cover six migratory bird habitats

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) virus was detected in wild bird droppings in the Cheongmicheon area of Yongin Special City, Gyeonggi Province, prompting restrictions on access by outsiders and vehicles through November 15.

Yongin Special City will restrict access to areas around Cheongmicheon through the 15th to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza. Provided by Yongin City.

Yongin Special City (Mayor Lee Sang-il) said on November 3 that analysis of wild bird droppings collected on October 26 near Cheongmicheon, at 1232 Oksan-ri, Baegam-myeon, Cheoin-gu, found the H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic AI virus.

The city held an emergency meeting and set up two access control points near the site where the virus was detected. It is barring outsiders and vehicles, except those belonging to farm personnel, and stepping up surveillance in the surrounding area. Banners and signs have been put up to guide residents to alternate routes, and fishing around Cheongmicheon is also being policed.

All of Baegam-myeon and Wonsam-myeon, within a 10-kilometer radius of the detection site, have been designated a “wild bird surveillance zone,” with biosecurity measures strengthened. The area has 29 farms raising 1,163,000 poultry. Farms in the zone must undergo detailed testing before bringing in new poultry or shipping birds out.

The 19,000 chickens at one farm within 500 meters of the detection site are scheduled for early shipment following preliminary testing and other measures.

Monitoring and disinfection at migratory bird habitats will also be expanded. The city plans to check for unusual behavior among wild birds and for carcasses in six areas: Cheongmicheon, Jinwicheon, Yongdam Reservoir, Giheung Reservoir, Gyeongancheon, and Tancheon. Three disinfection vehicles, including one provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, are being deployed to disinfect migratory bird habitats, nearby roads, and areas around livestock farms. No cases of highly pathogenic AI have been reported at poultry farms in Yongin since 2022.

A Yongin City official said, “We are making every effort to prevent the spread of the virus to poultry farms in the area through access restrictions, disinfection, and other biosecurity measures,” adding, “We urge farms to strictly follow biosecurity guidelines and residents to refrain from visiting migratory bird habitats or fishing nearby.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.