The H5-type virus was found at an egg-laying hen farm in Yeoncheon, which raises about 91,000 chickens, prompting authorities to order poultry farms and related facilities nationwide to suspend operations for 24 hours to prevent the virus from spreading. The detection marks the first suspected case of bird flu at a domestic poultry farm this winter season.
Access to the farm has been restricted, and authorities have begun culling birds to contain a potential outbreak. Health officials are also conducting further tests to determine whether the virus is highly pathogenic, meaning it can cause severe illness and spread rapidly among birds, with results expected within one to three days.
The latest case comes amid growing concerns about the spread of bird flu during the winter migration season, following the detection of an H5-type highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in wild bird droppings in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province on Oct. 20.
Health officials urged poultry farmers to step up preventive measures including avoiding contact with migratory birds and restricting access to their farms by outside vehicles and visitors. They were also advised to disinfect their facilities every day.
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