South Korea Confirms 17th Bird Flu Case This Season at Quail Farm

South Korea has reported a new case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, bringing the total number of infections at poultry farms to 17 since the cold season began. The latest case was confirmed at a quail farm in the country's central region on Monday.

According to the Central Disaster Management Headquarters (CDMH), the H5N1 bird flu strain was detected at the farm located in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province, approximately 130 kilometers southeast of Seoul. The confirmation comes as authorities remain on high alert for the virus's spread during winter.

In response, the CDMH stated it's conducting special quarantine inspections at the affected farm. Officials are also tightening the monitoring of vehicles visiting the site to prevent any further transmission of the disease.

To preempt wider outbreaks, authorities will carry out comprehensive inspections of all laying hen farms across the nation through the end of the year. This reflects a broader strategy to contain the virus before it can impact the country's poultry supply chain more significantly.