South Korea enforces emergency avian influenza controls amid record strain spread

The South Korean government will implement a set of special quarantine measures this month to prevent the further spread of avian influenza (AI), according to officials.

The Central Disaster Management Headquarters (CDMH) reported 30 confirmed cases of highly pathogenic AI at poultry farms and 22 among wild birds since the start of the cold season.

This winter marks the first time in South Korea's history that more than two AI strains have circulated simultaneously, with three strains—H5N1, H5N6 and H5N9—detected. The H5N1 strain has been confirmed to be at least 10 times more infectious than in previous years, according to CDMH officials, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.

In response, authorities will deploy quarantine teams to 539 commercial layer farms with more than 50,000 hens to carry out intensive inspections over the next two weeks. Disinfection measures will also be reinforced on roads near poultry farms and migratory bird habitats, along with random inspections of farming vehicles.