Korea reports additional avian influenza case

A quarantine official blocks a road leading to a duck farm in Muan, about 290 kilometers south of Seoul, after a highly pathogenic H5 strain of avian influenza was detected there, in this Dec. 6, 2023 file photo. Yonhap

The government on Sunday confirmed an additional case of highly pathogenic avian influenza at a poultry farm, the latest in a series of infections nationwide.

The highly pathogenic H5 strain was found Saturday at the farm in Cheonan, 85 kilometers south of Seoul, which is raising about 239,000 chickens, according to the agriculture ministry.

The latest outbreak brought the total number of highly pathogenic bird flu cases at local farms this winter to 27. The first such case of the season was reported in December after an eight-month hiatus.

Health authorities cordoned off the affected farm and are implementing quarantine measures, while issuing a standstill order for 24 hours through 1 p.m. Sunday, the ministry said. (Yonhap)