Prime Minister Han issues emergency order after highly pathogenic bird flu confirmed in Gyeonggi Province

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook issued an emergency order Wednesday after highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed at an egg-laying farm in Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi Province, calling on authorities to "stay vigilant, ensure thorough initial containment and prevent further spread."

After receiving a briefing on the situation, Han directed officials to "strictly carry out quarantine measures in line with emergency action guidelines — including access controls at the affected farm, culling, movement restrictions on farms within the quarantine zone, and disinfection," the prime minister's office said.

Han also said authorities must "strictly manage a temporary halt on the movement of poultry farms and related livestock facilities and vehicles to prevent the disease from spreading between farms."

Han further instructed the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy to strengthen its surveillance systems — including monitoring and testing of wild birds and restricting access to migratory bird habitats — and called on local governments across the country, including Gyeonggi Province, to step up biosecurity management by conducting weekly inspections of egg-laying farms in their jurisdictions.

"As this is the first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza this winter, we must respond proactively," Han said, urging farms to strictly follow biosecurity protocols and to report any suspected symptoms of avian influenza to quarantine authorities immediately.