First highly pathogenic avian flu case of winter confirmed in Yeoncheon

Highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed on 3 November 2026 at a layer farm, which keeps hens for egg production, in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province. It was the first case at a poultry farm in South Korea this winter season.

After the confirmation, quarantine authorities tightened disease-control measures at poultry farms nationwide. Steps of this kind in South Korea typically include disinfection of farms and vehicles, restrictions on the movement of people and livestock, and culling of birds at the affected site.

The case mattered because it marked the start of the winter outbreak season, when migratory birds arrive and the virus spreads most easily. Earlier seasons have seen dozens of farm outbreaks and the culling of millions of birds, which has affected egg supply and prices. The Yeoncheon case therefore served as an early warning for farmers and officials preparing for further detections in the following weeks.