Gyeonggi Province Reports 8,800 Chickens Dead from Marek's Disease

Last year, chickens that died from Marek's disease, commonly referred to as "chicken cancer," at farms in Gyeonggi Province totaled 8,800, according to reports.

The province announced on the 19th that "Marek's disease in chickens occurred in seven cities and counties last year, resulting in the death of 8,800 birds," and stated "movement restrictions have been imposed on the affected livestock farms until normal conditions are restored, and all dead chickens have been buried."

According to the province, Marek's disease in chickens broke out at a livestock farm in Yeoju in November last year, where 480 out of 60,000 chickens being raised died.

In October, 1,800 out of 40,000 chickens being raised in Icheon died, and 100 chickens also died in Gwangju in the same month.

By region, Yongin reported the most deaths with 5,000 chickens, followed by Icheon with 1,800, Anseong with 1,400, Yeoju with 480, Gwangju with 100, and Hwaseong and Gimpo each with 10 chickens.

The province explained that Marek's disease has no specific epidemic season and develops due to a highly contagious virus.

The province also noted that since Marek's disease has no cure, prevention requires vaccination, thorough disinfection of chicken houses, and restrictions on outside access.

Marek's disease in chickens is caused by a virus. In early stages, chickens show reduced movement and paralysis symptoms, and eventually die from tumors that develop in organs such as the liver, kidneys, and lungs. It does not infect humans and is classified as a Class 2 notifiable infectious disease with a mortality rate of 10–30%.