(MENAFN) South Korea confirmed another highly pathogenic avian influenza case Monday in Gyeonggi province, bringing the total to five outbreaks since September as officials warn of escalating risks nationwide.

Health authorities identified the H5N1 strain at a poultry operation in Hwaseong city, located roughly 60 kilometers south of the capital Seoul, according to media, which cited the Central Disaster Management Headquarters. The facility has experienced two previous avian influenza incidents over the past five years.

In response, officials announced emergency quarantine inspections targeting approximately 230 layer farms with prior infection histories. Authorities are also intensifying vehicle monitoring at impacted sites to contain transmission.

Lee Dong-sik, an Agriculture Ministry official overseeing quarantine policy, issued an urgent statement highlighting the growing threat. "Recent bird flu outbreaks at poultry farms have been repeatedly confirmed in the southern Gyeonggi region, but with winter migratory birds beginning to arrive in the country and highly pathogenic AI cases being detected across wild birds in six different regions, there is a high risk of additional outbreaks anywhere in the country," Lee warned.

Lee called on poultry workers and industry personnel across the nation to maintain heightened vigilance and implement strict biosecurity protocols.

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