[Korean Farmers' News Agency Reporter Ikino] As highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continues to spread, particularly along the West Sea coastal belt (including Jeonnam, Chungnam, and Gyeonggi), anxiety among egg-laying chicken farmers is growing. Starting in December, HPAI outbreaks have occurred successively at three egg-laying farms in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, and Cheonan, Chungnam, and Anseong, Gyeonggi, and on December 15, two suspected cases were additionally reported at an egg-laying farm in Cheonan, Chungnam. According to the Central Incident Response Headquarters for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Headed by Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Song Miryeong, hereafter CIRHPIAI), an increase in mortality was confirmed at the egg-laying farms in Cheonan and Anseong last 9th, prompting the implementation of detailed inspections.