Confirmation of highly pathogenic AI at Yeonggwang Meat Duck Farm… 36th in Korea, recurrence in 23 days

A meat duck farm in Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do, has seen an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, marking the 36th such outbreak in poultry farms across South Korea since October 29, 2024. The majority of these outbreaks have been reported in Jeonbuk, with over 11 cases. In response, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters has implemented strict quarantine measures, including culling, epidemiological investigation, and a temporary standstill order for all duck farms in the Jeonnam and Jeonbuk regions. Farmers are encouraged to report any symptoms, such as increased mortality or decreased egg production, to the quarantine authorities.

The H5N1 avian influenza (AI) antigen detected at a meat duck farm in Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do has been confirmed as highly pathogenic. This is only 23 days after the laying hen farm in Gimje, Jeollabuk-do on February 10. This brings the total number of highly pathogenic AI outbreaks in poultry farms to 36 in 2024-2025. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for Highly Pathogenic AI (Director Song Mei-ryeong, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) announced on the 5th that it is strengthening quarantine measures due to the outbreak of highly pathogenic AI at a meat duck farm in Yeonggwang. The farm is raising approximately 16,000 ducks. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters immediately deployed an initial response team to the farm and began quarantine measures such as access control, culling, and epidemiological investigation. In addition, a 24-hour ‘Temporary Standstill’ order was issued to duck farms in the Jeonnam and ...