SEOUL, South Korea: South Korea confirmed a new case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) at a poultry farm, bringing the total number of cases this season to 60, officials said Saturday, Yonhap News Agency reported.
The H5 strain was reported at a duck farm in Jangsu County in North Jeolla Province, about 250 kilometres south of Seoul, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters.
Authorities said they are currently controlling access to the farm, culling about 12,000 birds and investigating the case.
A 24-hour standstill order has also been issued for areas neighbouring the farm, they added.
The government has ordered a special inspection of poultry farms nationwide this month to prevent further spread amid the seasonal migration of birds toward the end of winter. – BERNAMA-YONHAP
