Avian influenza cases spread across Asia

Detection in South Korea’s Jeollanam-do

On February 19, Jeollanam-do authorities announced that the H5 avian influenza antigen had been detected at a meat duck farm in Yongbang-myeon, Gurye.

The farm, which raises about 30,000 ducks, was flagged during routine pre-shipment testing. The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency is now determining whether the strain is highly pathogenic.

Containment measures began immediately. Local officials restricted farm access, initiated culling, and launched detailed investigations. A 10km quarantine zone was established, disinfection resources were mobilized, and inspections of related farms were ordered.

The province also dispatched two on-site support officers, who are conducting a detailed investigation into the cause of the outbreak.

To prevent further spread, authorities are conducting detailed inspections of all poultry farms within a 10km quarantine zone around the affected farm. In addition, all available disinfection resources are being mobilized to disinfect roads around nearby small streams and reservoirs, as well as access roads leading to poultry farms.

To ensure early detection of infected birds, detailed inspections are also being carried out at all farms belonging to the same integrated company, in parallel with biosecurity checks.

A 24-hour standstill order, effective until 12:00 pm on February 20, was issued for the integrated company, nearby duck farms, slaughterhouses, feed factories, and livestock vehicles.

Yu DeokgyuYu Deokgyu, Director General of the Agriculture, Livestock and Food Bureau, emphasized strict biosecurity, warning that no region can be considered safe. As of February 19, South Korea has recorded 44 outbreaks nationwide, including eight in Jeollanam-do.

New human case of A(H10N3) in China

In another development, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed a new human infection with avian influenza A(H10N3) in Guangdong province on February 20.

The patient, a 34-year-old man, developed symptoms on December 29, 2025, and was hospitalized soon after. He remains in stable condition.

Preliminary investigations suggest exposure to live poultry before illness onset. This is the third human case of A(H10N3) reported in 2025, and the seventh globally since 2021. All cases have occurred in China, with most presenting severe or critical symptoms. No fatalities have been reported to date.

Cambodia records its first human case of H5N1 of 2026

Cambodia’s Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed its first human case of H5N1 avian influenza this year. According to Avian Flu Diary, an infectious disease blog citing the ministry’s report, the patient is a 30-year-old man from Kampot province. He experienced fever, abdominal pain, and cough, but has since recovered.

MOH investigators noted that a dead chicken had been cooked in his household days before symptom onset.

Since 2023, Cambodia has reported 36 human H5 infections, with a case-fatality rate exceeding 40%. Most recent cases in Cambodia have involved a reassortant (2.3.2.1e) between an older H5N1 clade that has circulated in Cambodia since 2014 and the newer clade 2.3.4.4b virus that is circulating globally.