Hwaseong City Activates Integrated Livestock Disease Response Headquarters to Block AI, ASF

Five Working Teams Formed Under Mayor Jeong Myeonggeun as Headquarters Chief
Strengthen Disinfection at Key Locations and Migratory Bird Surveillance

Hwaseong Special City in Gyeonggi Province has activated an integrated disease prevention system to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI), African swine fever (ASF) and other diseases.

Hwaseong Special City officials review their disaster preparedness and discuss response measures. Photo courtesy of Hwaseong City.

Hwaseong City said on November 3 that it has been operating the Livestock Disease Integrated Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, headed by Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun, since October 26.

The measure follows the detection of highly pathogenic AI in wild bird droppings collected at Suncheon Bay in South Jeolla Province on October 12 and the elevation of the alert to its highest level, "Serious," on October 20. The city held a situation assessment meeting on October 23 and decided to activate the headquarters.

With the risk of disease transmission rising amid an increase in migratory birds arriving for the winter and the recurrence of ASF among wild boars in northern Gyeonggi Province, the city established an integrated response system to manage AI, ASF and foot-and-mouth disease together.

The headquarters is led by the first deputy mayor and comprises five working teams: situation coordination, disease prevention measures, human infection prevention measures, environmental cleanup, and disaster resource support. Relevant departments, including the Disaster Response Division, the Livestock Policy Division and regional public health centers, are participating. The headquarters will operate until the situation is over.

No cases of these livestock diseases have been reported in Hwaseong City, so it is maintaining its Level 1 emergency response system. The city is operating disinfection facilities at key locations and conducting intensive disinfection in vulnerable areas, including livestock markets and riversides. It is also conducting surveillance of wild birds and taking preventive measures for groups at high risk of infection.

If a livestock disease breaks out in a neighboring city or county, or within the city, Hwaseong plans to immediately raise its emergency response system to Level 2 or 3.

Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun said, "This is a grave situation, with the risk of livestock disease outbreaks higher than ever due to factors such as the increase in migratory birds arriving this year. We will do our utmost to prevent damage to livestock farms through proactive disease prevention measures."

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