First Case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed This Season in Paju, Gyeonggi Province

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on September 12 that highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) has been confirmed at a native chicken farm in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.

This is the first case of the 2025-2026 season to occur at a poultry farm. September marks the beginning of the arrival of migratory wild birds for the winter in Korea, which increases the risk of highly pathogenic AI outbreaks.

However, compared to recent years when cases mainly occurred in October or November, this is earlier than usual.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has raised the avian influenza alert level from "Attention" to "Caution." The ministry is implementing quarantine measures such as access control, culling, and epidemiological investigations.

Additionally, animal disease control headquarters and situation rooms will be activated in the local government where the highly pathogenic AI occurred, as well as in neighboring local governments. Intensive inspections will be conducted on all native chicken farms in Gyeonggi Province, poultry sales outlets and holding facilities at traditional markets nationwide, and livestock vehicles. Disinfection and quarantine status at farms where outbreaks occurred in the past will also be closely checked.

From September 14 to 27, daily disinfection will be carried out nationwide. In particular, additional disinfection vehicles will be deployed in Paju, where the outbreak occurred, and in adjacent areas (Yangju, Goyang, Gimpo) to focus on disinfecting farm entrances and related areas.

Furthermore, the ministry will strengthen quarantine measures by restricting livestock vehicle access to migratory bird habitats, prohibiting free-range poultry farming, and minimizing the entry of contaminants through vehicle and human movement within farms. The testing cycle for early detection of highly pathogenic AI-infected birds will be shortened, and inspections of native chickens shipped to slaughterhouses will be expanded.

Kang Hyungseok, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "As the arrival of migratory wild birds for the winter has already begun and this is the first case of highly pathogenic AI at a poultry farm, please remain vigilant and thoroughly manage quarantine measures."