#19,067
On January 5th, South Korea ordered Special Quarantine Measures Implemented for one Month to Prevent the Spread of HPAI, which was extended in early February due to concurrent outbreaks of FMD and ASF along with ongoing HPAI.
Over the past 3 weeks the number of ASF outbreaks has more than tripled (from 6 to 20), and more than a dozen HPAI outbreaks have been reported in poultry.
As noted on Wednesday, a new subtype (H5N9) has been increasingly reported in South Korea, and MAFRA has already ordered their third 24-hour halt in the transport of livestock (poultry, ducks, and pigs) this week.
Today, MAFRA published an extraordinary (14.5 mb) collection of 132 maps and aerial photos (see sample below), of migratory bird arrival areas where livestock-related vehicles and workers are restricted from entering.
Given that the northbound phase of Korea's migratory bird season begins in early March - and often extends into May - this may not be the last extension to this special quarantine period we see.
Some (translated) excerpts from today's announcement follow:
February 27, 2026, 3:44 PM, Quarantine Policy Bureau
The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters ( Director Song Mei-ryeong, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs , hereinafter referred to as the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters ) for Livestock Infectious Diseases ( Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza , Foot - and-Mouth Disease, African Swine Fever ) announced that considering the current risk of additional outbreaks of livestock infectious diseases, the existing special quarantine period (October 1, 2025 - February 28, 2026) will be extended by one month until March 31 ( Friday ) to strengthen quarantine management .
1. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI)
< Occurrence situation and situation diagnosis >
This winter ('25/'26 season ) , there have been 50 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry farms and 59 cases in wild birds .
* Poultry farm occurrence status ( total 50 cases ): 11 cases in Gyeonggi , 9 in North Chungcheong , 9 in South Chungcheong , 4 in North Jeolla , 10 in South Jeolla , 4 in North Gyeongsang , 1 in South Gyeongsang , 1 in Gwangju , 1 in Sejong
** Status of wild bird detection ( total 59 cases ): Gyeonggi 6 , Gangwon 6, Chungbuk 1, Chungnam 14, Jeollabuk-do 6, Jeollanam-do 7 , Gyeongbuk 3, Gyeongnam 5, Jeju 4, Seoul 3, Busan 2, Incheon 1, Gwangju 1
In our country, highly pathogenic avian influenza first occurred in a poultry farm (September 12, 2025) 47 days earlier than the previous 24/25 season (October 29, 2024) during this 25/26 winter season . The outbreak area has also expanded significantly ( from 26 cities and counties to 29 ) compared to last season . In addition , the number of detections in wild birds has increased from 43 to 59 , and the detection area has expanded nationwide (from 30 cities and counties to 38 ) . Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen quarantine management, such as thorough disinfection and access control, more than ever before .
The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters assessed that there is a risk of additional outbreaks considering that the results of the February migratory bird population survey showed that there were 1.33 million birds * , a large number of birds inhabiting the area , and that highly pathogenic avian influenza continued to occur in domestic poultry farms and wild birds in February as well as sporadic outbreaks during the migratory bird migration period since March . Therefore , the main quarantine measures implemented during the special quarantine period will be extended until Tuesday, March 31 to continue strengthened quarantine management of poultry farms , etc.
* According to the February migratory bird habitat survey ( cooperation with the Ministry of Climate and Environment ), 1.33 million birds were confirmed , a 1.2% decrease in the number of birds compared to the previous month (1.35 million ) , but many migratory birds still live across the country.
* * Farm (50 cases ) : (September ) 1 case → (October ) 1 case → (November ) 4 cases → (December ) 22 cases → (January ) 10 cases → (February ) 12 cases
Migratory birds (59 cases ): (September ) 0 cases → (October ) 2 cases → (November ) 11 cases → (December ) 10 cases → ( January ) 19 cases → ( February ) 17 cases
*** Occurrences in the past March to May : ('23 ) 2 cases in March , 4 cases in April , ( '24 ) 1 case in May , ( '25 ) 8 cases in March , 4 cases in April
< Strengthened quarantine measures >
To prevent further sporadic outbreaks due to migratory birds moving north, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters will strengthen quarantine measures as follows until Tuesday , March 31 .
First , we will continue to operate the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza system , cooperate with relevant ministries such as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Ministry of Climate Change to respond with all-out efforts across the government , and all local governments will continue to operate response headquarters and situation rooms .
Second , a special quarantine inspection will be conducted jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and other relevant organizations in 32 cities and counties at risk during the northern migration period of migratory birds (March 3 to March 17) , and a ' Quarantine Strengthening Public Relations Campaign ' will be promoted together with producer groups to improve quarantine rules for poultry farms . *
* Major farm initiatives for the month of March : ① Changing boots when entering and exiting the barn , ② General cleaning and disinfection , ③ General rat extermination work
Third , to prevent further outbreaks in laying hens, one-on-one dedicated managers will be assigned to laying hens in farms with more than 50,000 hens nationwide by March to manage vehicles and people entering and exiting the farms . In particular, control posts installed in densely populated areas and large-scale laying hens with more than 200,000 hens will be intensively inspected to ensure compliance with quarantine measures such as vehicle disinfection .
* In addition, random environmental inspections will be conducted on hazardous livestock vehicles ( egg , manure , feed transport ) and goods entering and exiting laying hen farms nationwide during March .
Fourth , the existing administrative orders (11 cases) and public notices (7 cases) that have been issued and are in effect will be extended until March , and additional administrative orders ( 2 cases ) and public notices (3 cases ) will be issued and operated to prevent outbreaks at poultry farms .
* Additional measures : ① Restriction on partial shipment of laying hens nationwide for 2 weeks (March 1 to March 14), ② Restriction on the entry of laying hens into outbreak cities and counties for 2 weeks (March 1 to March 14), ③ Restriction on entry of livestock disposal personnel to other farms for purposes other than livestock disposal for 1 month (March 1 to March 31)
- However , shipment of all laying hens from a farm to a slaughterhouse is possible , and in cases where unavoidable circumstances are recognized , movement ( shipment ) is permitted under limited circumstances under the supervision of public officials. Administrative orders and public notices may be adjusted depending on the situation.
This announcement also contains special instructions for dealing with ASF and FMD.
In an update from last week's report on pig feed additives which tested positive for ASF DNA, we have the following update which also found ASF genes in on-farm stockpiled feed.Once again, this appears to be via PCR, meaning that the infectiousness of this sample hasn't been ascertained.
African swine fever (ASF) genes detected in compound feed made from plasma proteins, leading to strengthened quarantine measures to prevent its spread.
2026.02.24 23:00:00 Foot-and-Mouth Disease Prevention Division, Quarantine Policy Bureau
The African Swine Fever Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters ( Director Song Mei-ryeong, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs , hereinafter referred to as the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters ) announced on Tuesday , February 24 that it will strengthen quarantine measures to prevent the spread of African swine fever (ASF) after the gene was detected in pig feed .
1. Detection circumstances
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) is conducting a comprehensive inspection ( carcasses and environmental samples ) on pig farms nationwide . During this process , a detailed inspection was conducted on carcasses and environmental samples such as feed from a pig farm (No. 1 ) in Hongseong, South Chungcheong Province , and on February 24 , it was announced that the African swine fever (ASF) gene was detected * in two cases ( same product ) of compound feed made from plasma protein .
* Results of testing by the Chungcheongnam-do Animal Hygiene Testing Laboratory and the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency , positive result due to detection of ASF gene
2. Key quarantine measures
The central government will first order local governments across the country to order owners of feed* in which African swine fever (ASF) genes have been detected at pig farms to dispose of the relevant items in accordance with the Livestock Infectious Disease Prevention Act ** .
* It is assumed to have been manufactured using pig-derived plasma protein supplied by OOO Lab as the raw material.
** Article 23 of the Livestock Infectious Disease Prevention Act ( Incineration of Contaminated Materials, etc. )
In addition , for feed in which African swine fever (ASF) genes have been detected, the relevant companies ( some names ), production dates , and products will be disclosed on the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency website (www.qia.go.kr) * , and local governments plan to recommend that pig farms nationwide stop using the relevant feed as a preventive measure .
(Continue . . . )
While it may appear that South Korea's livestock disease woes are far greater than most other countries, it is worth mentioning that few countries are as open about their agricultural disease challenges and responses.
So how much of an outlier South Korea really is, is difficult to say.
But given the way that livestock diseases propagate around the globe, countries that are currently under less pressure may find their current status quos to be fleeting.
