S. Korea Confirms First Case of Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu

South Korea has reported its first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) this year, prompting authorities to raise the alert level and strengthen quarantine measures.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on Saturday that the outbreak was confirmed at a poultry farm in Paju, north of Seoul. Officials immediately imposed quarantine measures, including restricted access, culling of birds, and epidemiological investigations.

This is the first case detected in the current season and comes earlier than in recent years, when the initial outbreaks were typically reported in October or November.

In response, the government raised its bird flu alert from “caution” to “alert.” Authorities will conduct inspections at poultry farms across Gyeonggi Province, where Paju is located, as well as at live poultry markets and livestock transport vehicles nationwide to ensure proper disinfection and quarantine procedures are being enforced.

The early detection of HPAI highlights growing concerns over the potential spread of avian influenza in South Korea’s poultry sector, which could have significant economic and public health implications if not contained swiftly.