Ahmad Saleem, Koh Kye-Young, Yoo Dae-Sung, Lee Jae-Il
Veterinary Public Health Lab, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea.
Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea.
Vet Sci. 2022 Mar 15;9(3):135. doi: 10.3390/vetsci9030135.
Given the substantial economic damage caused by the continual circulation of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks since 2003, identifying high-risk locations associated with HPAI infections is essential. In this study, using affected and unaffected poultry farms' locations during an HPAI H5N6 epidemic in South Korea, we identified places where clusters of HPAI cases were found. Hotspots were defined as regions having clusters of HPAI cases. With the help of the statistical computer program R, a kernel density estimate and a spatial scan statistic were employed for this purpose. A kernel density estimate and detection of significant clusters through a spatial scan statistic both showed that districts in the Chungcheongbuk-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Jeollanam-do provinces are more vulnerable to HPAI outbreaks. Prior to the migration season, high-risk districts should implement particular biosecurity measures. High biosecurity measures, as well as improving the cleanliness of the poultry environment, would undoubtedly aid in the prevention of HPAIV transmission to poultry farms in these high-risk regions of South Korea.
鉴于自2003年以来高致病性禽流感（HPAI）疫情持续传播造成了巨大的经济损失，确定与HPAI感染相关的高风险地点至关重要。在本研究中，利用韩国HPAI H5N6疫情期间受影响和未受影响的家禽养殖场位置，我们确定了发现HPAI病例聚集的地点。热点地区被定义为有HPAI病例聚集的区域。借助统计计算机程序R，为此采用了核密度估计和空间扫描统计方法。核密度估计和通过空间扫描统计检测显著聚集区均表明，忠清北道、全罗北道和全罗南道的地区更容易发生HPAI疫情。在迁徙季节之前，高风险地区应实施特定的生物安全措施。高生物安全措施以及改善家禽环境的清洁度，无疑将有助于预防HPAIV传播到韩国这些高风险地区的家禽养殖场。
