Highly Pathogenic AI Confirmed at Pyeongtaek Layer Chicken Farm

Seventh Case of Highly Pathogenic AI in the 2025-2026 Winter Season
Weekly Inspections Planned for All Densely Populated Poultry Complexes Nationwide

The Central Accident Response Headquarters for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (AI) at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on December 2 that a case of highly pathogenic AI had occurred at a layer chicken farm in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province.

Strengthening emergency response capabilities to prepare for human infection of avian influenza during winter.

This marks the seventh case of highly pathogenic AI confirmed at poultry farms during the 2025-2026 winter season. By region, there have been four cases in Gyeonggi Province, one in North Chungcheong Province, and one in Gwangju. Notably, three of these cases have occurred at layer chicken farms in the Hwaseong and Pyeongtaek areas. The affected farm raises approximately 130,000 layer chickens.

Upon confirmation of the H5 antigen at the farm, the Central Accident Response Headquarters immediately dispatched an initial response team to implement quarantine measures, including restricting access, culling, and conducting epidemiological investigations. To prevent the spread of highly pathogenic AI, a 24-hour movement ban was also imposed on layer chicken farms, livestock facilities, and livestock vehicles in Cheonan and Asan, South Chungcheong Province, which border Pyeongtaek City.

With temperatures dropping from today and snow expected nationwide until December 4, the Central Accident Response Headquarters is concerned about worsening conditions for disinfection and other quarantine efforts. As a result, from December 2 to 12, a "Heavy Snow and Cold Wave Highly Pathogenic AI Risk Advisory" will be issued for all poultry farms nationwide, along with a campaign to promote quarantine guidelines.

To prevent outbreaks of highly pathogenic AI in densely populated layer chicken farming complexes, the inspection cycle for all 12 such complexes nationwide will be shortened from once every two weeks to once a week through December 17.

In addition, measures will be taken to minimize overlapping movements of livestock vehicles at large-scale layer chicken farms with more than 100,000 birds and at densely populated complexes. Special attention will be paid to monitoring compliance with administrative orders prohibiting egg transport vehicles from entering farms. Furthermore, migratory bird habitats, poultry farms, and livestock facilities and vehicles will be disinfected intensively twice a day.