Japan has confirmed its first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in a poultry farm in Hokkaido this winter, following an earlier detection in a wild bird. This raises concerns due to similar outbreak patterns in Korea, where the virus has been found in wild birds but not yet in poultry farms. Experts highlight the risk of the virus spreading to Korean farms due to shared migratory bird routes. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs emphasizes the importance of promptly reporting symptoms like increased mortality and decreased egg production in poultry to prevent outbreaks.