Additional detection follows confirmed H5N9 case at Jangheung duck farm
Highly pathogenic status of Yeoju case under lab review; results expected within days
Nationwide duck farm inspections and disinfection measures stepped up
![Photo is unrelated to the article. [Getty Images Bank]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/11/07/news-p.v1.20261107.6c9019f29f0743249f6fc85ab0082821_P1.jpg)
An H5-type avian influenza antigen has been detected at a laying hen farm in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, where about 260,000 birds are raised. The find comes after a highly pathogenic AI strain was confirmed at a meat duck farm in Jangheung-gun, South Jeolla Province, prompting authorities to impose a 24-hour standstill order on poultry farms and livestock facilities across Gyeonggi, Gangwon and North Chungcheong provinces.
The Central Disaster Management Headquarters for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza confirmed the H5-type antigen at the Yeoju laying hen farm on Friday and launched emergency containment measures. The farm houses approximately 260,000 laying hens.
Whether the strain is highly pathogenic has not yet been determined. The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency is conducting a detailed laboratory analysis, with results expected within one to three days.
An initial response team was dispatched to the farm immediately after the antigen was detected. Authorities have restricted access to the premises and are carrying out culling and epidemiological investigations.
To prevent further spread, a 24-hour standstill order was issued from 10 p.m. Friday to 10 p.m. Saturday, covering poultry farms, slaughterhouses, feed factories and other livestock facilities, as well as livestock vehicles, in Gyeonggi, Gangwon and North Chungcheong provinces.
The Jangheung duck farm had earlier been confirmed as carrying the H5N9 strain of highly pathogenic AI. It is the second confirmed case this winter, following the season's first detection at a laying hen farm in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs tightened biosecurity measures at duck farms in response to the Jangheung confirmation. All duck farms in Jangheung-gun, along with contract farms nationwide affiliated with the same company as the affected farm, will be inspected by Friday. Inspections of meat duck farms across the country will also be intensified.
![The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced Friday that highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N9) was confirmed at a meat duck farm in Jangheung-gun, South Jeolla Province. The ministry convened a Central Disaster Management Headquarters meeting that day to strengthen disease control measures. Nov. 6, 2026 [Provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Redistribution and database storage prohibited] (Yonhap)](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/11/07/rcv.YNA.20261106.PYH2026110616360001300_P1.jpg)
The stocking and shipping window for duck farms will be shortened to within one day, and restocking with new birds will be restricted for 14 days after each shipment. Only farms that pass inspections and checks will be permitted to restock.
The inspection rate for farms supplying slaughterhouses affiliated with the affected company will be raised from 30 percent to 60 percent for 14 days. Each affiliated company will also be required to conduct its own internal biosecurity checks.
The government has designated the period through Nov. 17 as a nationwide disinfection week. Authorities called for stepped-up disinfection of poultry farms, livestock facilities and vehicles, and urged restrictions on access to migratory bird habitats as well as on outside vehicles and personnel entering farms.
The Central Disaster Management Headquarters urged farm operators to report to authorities immediately if they observe not only increased mortality or drops in egg production, but also milder warning signs such as reduced feed intake, lethargy, respiratory symptoms or green diarrhea.
adastra@heraldcorp.com
