An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza has occurred at a layer farm in Yesan, South Chungcheong.

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Han Ju-hong = The Central Headquarters for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Response announced on the 6th that the H5N9 strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed at a laying hen farm in Yesan County, South Chungcheong Province, which houses over 653,000 birds. The headquarters has deployed an initial response team to the farm to control access, carry out emergency culling, and conduct epidemiological investigations. In addition, a temporary suspension of movement has been ordered for 24 hours for laying hen farms and related facilities and vehicles in South Chungcheong and Gyeonggi Provinces. This case is the 39th outbreak of HPAI at poultry farms during the 2025-2026 winter season. Although an additional outbreak was confirmed 16 days after the previous one in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, on the 20th of last month, the risk of further outbreaks remains high due to the increasing number of migratory birds and the continued detection of HPAI in wild birds. The headquarters plans to conduct special quarantine inspections at 75 laying hen farms nationwide that house over 200,000 birds by the 20th of this month. Additionally, a dedicated officer will be assigned to poultry farms within the quarantine zone (within a 10 km radius of the outbreak farm) and to laying hen farms nationwide that house over 500,000 birds for intensive management until the end of this month. Furthermore, from the 7th to the 20th, a "nationwide simultaneous disinfection period" has been designated to strengthen disinfection at migratory bird arrival sites, poultry farms, livestock facilities, and vehicles, and to conduct random environmental inspections of livestock vehicles and items entering poultry farms nationwide. juhong@yna.co.kr