(MENAFN) Another instance of highly pathogenic avian influenza was identified on Monday in Gyeonggi province, South Korea, representing the fifth reported case since September.

The H5N1 strain was discovered at a farm in Hwaseong city, roughly 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Seoul, a location that has seen two previous bird flu outbreaks over the last five years, a news agency reported, citing the Central Disaster Management Headquarters.

Authorities plan to carry out special quarantine inspections at approximately 230 layer farms that have experienced bird flu cases before.

In addition, monitoring of vehicles entering these affected farms will be intensified to curb further transmission of the virus.

"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," stated Lee Dong-sik, an Agriculture Ministry official responsible for quarantine policies.

Lee also called on poultry farm workers and related personnel nationwide to remain alert and rigorously follow all quarantine protocols.

MENAFN18112025000045017167ID1110358885