08 Jan 2026

South Korea launches special quarantine as HPAI risk escalates

Authorities reported 30 poultry farm outbreaks and 23 wild bird cases, with H5N1 identified as the most infectious strain.

Jess Ramanee

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South Korea will launch a monthlong special quarantine campaign after confirming that the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus circulating this winter is spreading rapidly.

Authorities said the current strain is more than ten times more infectious than variants detected in previous years, raising serious concerns about nationwide transmission.

On January 5, the Central Disaster Management Headquarters for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza convened a national quarantine countermeasure meeting chaired by Song Mi-ryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Officials reviewed the current avian influenza situation and outlined enhanced response measures.

Between late last year and early January, authorities confirmed 30 HPAI outbreaks at poultry farms nationwide, alongside 23 cases detected in wild birds.

Multiple virus strains detected

For the first time in South Korea, three HPAI serotypes—H5N1, H5N6, and H5N9—have been detected simultaneously in poultry farms and wild birds during a single winter season.

The H5N1 strain accounts for most detections and has been assessed as more than ten times more infectious than earlier variants, raising the risk of rapid transmission.

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Outbreaks have been concentrated in the Gyeonggi, Chungcheong, and Jeolla regions. December alone saw 22 confirmed cases, with additional infections continuing into January.

One-to-one monitoring at layer farms

To prevent further spread, the government will assign dedicated officials on a one-to-one basis to 539 layer farms housing 50,000 birds or more. Monitoring will run from January 5 through January 16.

Livestock vehicles transporting eggs, feed, and manure must now be pre-registered. Unregistered vehicles will be barred from farm entry, while registered ones will face stricter on-site inspections and entry-exit checks.

Enhanced inspections and disinfection

In high-risk zones, including parts of Gyeonggi and Chungcheong provinces and 11 additional localities, special quarantine units and on-site response teams will conduct intensive inspections.

Nationwide, an ‘intensive disinfection week’ will be implemented, requiring poultry farms, livestock facilities, and vehicles to disinfect areas near migratory bird habitats and farm surroundings at least twice daily.

Unannounced environmental testing will also be conducted on high-risk livestock vehicles at 222 base disinfection facilities, with immediate enforcement action taken against violations.

Maximum vigilance urged

“This winter is more serious than ever, with multiple virus types and far higher infectiousness than in the past,” said Ms Song Mi-ryung.

She urged poultry producers and quarantine agencies to intensify basic biosecurity measures, including strict control of people and vehicle access, alongside thorough disinfection.

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