South Korea confirmed its first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) for this year, prompting authorities to elevate the national alert level and implement stricter quarantine measures, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on Saturday.

The infection was detected at a poultry farm in Paju, located north of Seoul, making it the first confirmed case of the current season. The ministry said the outbreak came earlier than usual, as previous years have typically seen cases emerge in October or November.

In response, the government raised the alert level from “attention” to “caution.” Officials have imposed access restrictions to the affected area, ordered culling of poultry, and launched an epidemiological investigation to trace the source of the infection and prevent further spread.

Authorities are also intensifying inspections at chicken farms in Gyeonggi Province—where Paju is located—as well as at poultry vendors in traditional markets and livestock transport vehicles across the country. The goal is to ensure that disinfection and biosecurity measures are strictly enforced nationwide.

The ministry urged poultry farmers to immediately report any suspicious symptoms among their flocks and adhere to strict hygiene protocols to prevent additional outbreaks. (ILKHA)