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South Korea Extends Nationwide Avian Flu Disinfection After 44th Case at Pocheon Farm

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  • Access to a layer chicken farm in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, where H5-type avian influenza antigens were detected, is restricted, in this Dec. 2, 2025, file photo. (Yonhap)
    Access to a layer chicken farm in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, where H5-type avian influenza antigens were detected, is restricted, in this Dec. 2, 2025, file photo. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Access to a layer chicken farm in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, where H5-type avian influenza antigens were detected, is restricted, in this Dec. 2, 2025, file photo. (Yonhap) Source Full size

New Case Raises Seasonal Total to 44 Amid Ongoing Outbreak South Korean officials confirmed a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) infection at a chicken farm in Pocheon on Feb. 17, 2026, bringing the season’s tally to 44 cases [1]. The farm houses approximately 380,000 chickens and lies about 40 km north of Seoul, marking the first avian flu report in the city since 2021 [1]. The outbreak underscores a resurgence after a multi‑year gap, prompting heightened surveillance across the nation [1].

Authorities Impose Access Restrictions and Initiate Mass Culling The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters sealed off the Pocheon facility, ordered a complete cull of the flock, and launched an investigation into the source of the virus [1]. Temporary standstill orders were placed on nearby farms and on vehicles transporting poultry or feed to prevent further spread [1]. Officials emphasized that compliance with the restrictions is mandatory for all affected operations [1].

Nationwide Disinfection Campaign Extended Through End‑February The government prolonged a twice‑daily disinfection program at migratory bird habitats, poultry farms, livestock facilities, and associated transport vehicles until the end of February, following the Lunar New Year holiday [1]. The intensified cleaning effort aims to curb viral transmission among wild birds and domestic poultry [1]. Health authorities will monitor the effectiveness of the measures and adjust protocols as needed [1].

Nearby Pyeongtaek Layer Farm Remains Closed After Antigen Detection layer chicken farm in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, continues to be under access restriction after H5‑type avian influenza antigens were detected in a Dec. 2, 2025 photograph [1]. The farm has not resumed operations, and authorities are conducting additional testing to confirm the presence of the virus [1]. This parallel restriction highlights the broader regional risk posed by the outbreak [1].

Sources

Timeline

Dec 9, 2025 – South Korea reports its eighth highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) case at a duck farm in Yeongam, marking the season’s first duck‑farm outbreak; authorities issue a nationwide 24‑hour standstill on all duck farms and related vehicles, launch intensive inspections, and advise farmers to avoid migratory‑bird habitats and change shoes before entering barns [16].

Dec 10, 2025 – Two additional HPAI infections appear at a layer chicken farm in Cheonan and a chicken farm in Anseong, raising the seasonal total to ten; entry controls, culling and disinfection begin, and an agriculture ministry official urges farms to strengthen quarantine measures [15].

Dec 15, 2025 – A broiler breeder farm in Namwon confirms the 11th HPAI case; a response team cordons the site, conducts culling and epidemiological investigations, and a 24‑hour movement ban is imposed on livestock facilities in Gurye, Gokseong, Hadong and Hamyang to block spread [14].

Dec 17, 2025 – Two more HPAI cases surface at layer farms in Goesan and Cheonan, bringing the tally to 14; Cheonan records its fourth case since 2020, special quarantine inspections commence, and authorities pledge comprehensive laying‑hen farm inspections nationwide through year‑end [13].

Dec 21, 2025 – The 16th HPAI case emerges at a duck farm in Naju (≈23,000 ducks); special quarantine measures are applied, and officials schedule intensive inspections of more than 200 duck farms across South Jeolla starting the following Monday [12].

Dec 22, 2025 – A quail farm in Jincheon reports the 17th HPAI infection; special quarantine inspections and heightened vehicle monitoring are enacted, and nationwide laying‑hen farm inspections continue through the end of the year [11].

Dec 24, 2025 – Three new HPAI cases are confirmed at an Anseong chicken farm and duck farms in Gochang and Naju, raising the total to 21; authorities restrict entry, begin culling, launch investigations, and dispatch agriculture‑ministry officials to Anseong and Cheonan while expanding duck‑farm inspections in North Jeolla [10].

Dec 26, 2025 – A chicken farm in Asan (≈21,000 birds) tests positive for HPAI, bringing the count to 23; entry is restricted, culling starts, and a temporary standstill order covers nearby facilities and farming vehicles [9].

Dec 27, 2025 – Two further HPAI cases are identified: a chicken farm in Yeongam (≈33,000 birds) and a second case in Asan, pushing the seasonal total to 24; containment actions include entry bans, culling, investigations and renewed standstill orders for affected areas [8].

Dec 29, 2025 – New infections appear at a duck farm in Eumseong and a chicken farm in Naju, raising the tally to 26; authorities enforce farm access restrictions, begin culling, impose temporary standstill orders, and restrict vehicle access at a Pyeongtaek chicken farm [7].

Jan 5, 2026 – The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announces special quarantine measures for the month, noting 32 farm and 22 wild‑bird AI cases, the detection of three strains (H5N1, H5N6, H5N9) – the first multi‑strain winter – and a plan to dispatch inspectors to 539 layer farms over the next two weeks, alongside intensified road disinfection and random vehicle checks [5].

Jan 5, 2026 – A parallel report confirms 30 farm cases and the same three strains, reiterates the 539‑layer‑farm inspection rollout, and highlights vehicle‑access restrictions at a Pyeongtaek chicken farm (photo dated Dec 26, 2025) as part of nationwide disinfection efforts [6].

Jan 6, 2026 – The 33rd HPAI case is confirmed at a quail farm in Okcheon (≈500,000 birds), the first in the region since Dec 2016; a 24‑hour standstill covers all chicken and quail operations in North Chungcheong and neighboring areas, and disinfection operations intensify in nearby cities such as Gumi [4].

Jan 9, 2026 – A new HPAI case at a duck farm in Naju (≈27,000 ducks) raises the total to 34; authorities seal the site, commence culling, launch an investigation, note spread to over 20 cities/counties, and announce nationwide intensive inspections of breeder duck farms and hatcheries [3].

Jan 20, 2026 – The 37th HPAI case is detected at a duck farm in Gokseong (≈27,000 ducks), bringing the season’s count to 37; containment expands to 21 farms within a 10‑km quarantine zone and intensive checks target 60 affiliate duck farms, while a photo shows ongoing restrictions at Yeongam [2].

Feb 17, 2026 – The 44th HPAI case surfaces at a chicken farm in Pocheon (≈380,000 birds), the first avian‑flu report in the city since 2021; officials seal the farm, begin culling, impose standstill orders, and extend a twice‑daily nationwide disinfection program at migratory‑bird habitats, poultry farms and related vehicles through the end of February, while a nearby Pyeongtaek layer farm remains under restriction after H5 antigen detection in a Dec 2, 2025 photo [1].

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