#18,955
South Korea has a long history of dealing with HPAI H5 viruses, going back more than two decades, and in 2014 was the first country to feel the impact of an emerging HPAI H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4 virus which - in its opening months - spread to scores of farms across that nation and led to the culling of more than 10 million birds.
That experience - combined with a recent surge in HPAI H5 around the globe - has led to increased preparations by South Korea, starting with their release of a new pandemic plan over the summer of 2024, and announcing (last September) a 19-day, Nationwide, Mock-Training Exercise to Prepare for Zoonotic Influenza.
Just as we've seen reported this fall from Europe, Canada, the United States, and Japan - South Korea is seeing an early start to their avian flu season - and has (for the very first time) detected 3 different HPAI H5 subtypes (H5N1, H5N6, & H5N9) in wild birds.
Today their Department of Agriculture (MAFRA) has issued both a stark warning, and stricter quarantine measures due to HPAI, including harsher penalties (Imprisonment & Fines) for violations.
This growing diversity of HPAI H5 viruses in wild birds is not a trivial concern, particularly given the events of last week here in the U.S., when the first known human infection with HPAI H5N5 was reported in Washington State.
I've posted a machine translation of the South Korean announcement below. (Note: 10 Million won fine = $6766 USD).
The risk of a domestic outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza is increasing, prompting strengthened quarantine measures to prevent further outbreaks.2025.11.21 13:58:00 Avian Influenza Prevention Division, Quarantine Policy Bureau
The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza ( Headquarters: Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mei-ryeong , hereinafter referred to as the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters ) announced that it will prepare and implement quarantine measures to prevent further outbreaks as the risk level increases due to the increase in the number of migratory birds residing in the country in November and the increase in the occurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic poultry farms and wild birds .
1. Situation
Since the first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza at a native chicken farm in Paju , Gyeonggi Province on Friday , September 12 , there have been six cases in domestic poultry farms and 10 cases in wild birds .
* Poultry farm outbreak status ( 6 cases in total , H5N1 type ): 4 cases in Gyeonggi ( 1 in Paju , 2 in Hwaseong , 1 in Pyeongtaek ), 1 case in Chungbuk ( Yeongdong ), 1 case in Gwangju Metropolitan City ( Nam-gu )
* Status of wild bird detection ( total 10 cases : 7 H5N1 types , 1 H5N6 type , 2 H5N9 types ): 1 in North Chungcheong Province , 1 in South Chungcheong Province , 3 in North Jeolla Province, 1 in South Jeolla Province , 1 in South Gyeongsang Province , 1 in Busan , 1 in Gwangju , 1 in Seoul
2. Increased risk
First , in November , 4 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza were confirmed in poultry farms and 7 cases in wild birds , and according to the results of the Ministry of Climate Change's winter migratory bird habitat survey ( 200 survey sites ) , 1.33 million birds arrived in the country, an increase of 111.4% compared to the previous month ( 630,000 in October ) .
Second , as a result of a detailed examination of environmental samples * ( soil , wild bird feathers, etc. ) from the surrounding migratory bird habitat and river for the epidemiological investigation of the outbreak farm , detection of H5 type avian influenza antigen was confirmed, indicating that the migratory bird habitat , river , and surrounding farms are significantly contaminated .Third , for the first time in Korea, three serotypes ( H5N1, H5N6, H5N9) were confirmed in wild birds .
- * Detection of H5 avian influenza antigen confirmed in Gyeonggi ( Balancheon in Pyeongtaek and Gwanricheon in Hwaseong , November 14), Jeollabuk-do ( Gyehwa Bird Sanctuary and Cheongdo Pond in Buan , November 12-13 ), and Chungcheongbuk-do ( Hangokje in Yeongdong , November 17-18)
Accordingly , all poultry farms across the country must strengthen quarantine measures and promptly report any suspicious symptoms to quarantine authorities .
3. Strengthening quarantine measures
As the risk of avian influenza is increasing, the Ministry of Health and Welfare is strengthening quarantine measures as follows to prevent further outbreaks and take preventive measures .
First , all available rental disinfection vehicles (39 → 135 , an increase of 96 vehicles ) will be preemptively deployed simultaneously starting November 20 to conduct concentrated disinfection in high-risk areas such as migratory bird arrival sites and densely populated breeding areas .
* Separately, 540 units of Nonghyup workshops and 360 units of local governments will continue to operate.
Second , 27 cities and counties with high poultry farming density, such as laying hens and ducks, and a history of past outbreaks will be designated as high - risk areas , and special inspections will be conducted jointly by relevant organizations ( Ministry of Agriculture , Food and Rural Affairs , Ministry of the Interior and Safety , Quarantine Agency , and cities and provinces ) from November 24 to December 10 to supplement any deficiencies .
Third , as the results of the epidemiological investigation on the outbreak farm confirmed weak quarantine management during the shipment process of older hens that laid eggs ( old laying hens ) , starting November 24 , intensive management will be conducted on whether prior reporting and quarantine rules are followed when shipping old laying hens to slaughterhouses .
* Intensive inspection of compliance with administrative orders, such as prior reporting of loading and unloading platforms at poultry farms when slaughtering laying hens and submitting a pledge to comply with quarantine rules.
Fourth , in order to prevent further outbreaks at laying hen farms , we will strengthen inspections to ensure compliance with the administrative order prohibiting egg transport vehicles from entering farms , and if violations are confirmed, we will take strict measures in accordance with relevant regulations .
* Violation of the administrative order prohibiting entry of egg vehicles into poultry farms is subject to imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won .
4. Requests
The Director of the Quarantine Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Lee Dong-sik, requested , “ Since the risk of outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza during this winter season is higher than ever before , local governments should thoroughly inspect whether poultry farms are complying with quarantine measures and provide repeated education and publicity so that farmers can be alert and voluntarily comply with quarantine rules such as disinfection . ”
In addition , he emphasized , “ In order to prevent further outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, it is most important for poultry farms to have the mindset of ‘ I protect my own farm ’ and to follow basic quarantine rules such as disinfection and changing boots , so please thoroughly follow these . ”
Lastly , he requested that “ relevant organizations, local governments, and livestock farms all work together to do their best in quarantine management so that damage from highly pathogenic avian influenza can be minimized . ”
