Seoul: A bean goose discovered in central Seoul has tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, city officials announced. The Seoul metropolitan government reported that the wild bird, found sick in the Seodaemun district and later deceased, was confirmed to be infected with the H5N1 strain of avian influenza.

According to Yonhap News Agency, this case marks the first detection of the virus strain in wild birds within Seoul in nearly three years, following the previous instance in January 2023. Officials revealed that the bird had been rescued after a citizen report on Thursday and was under treatment at a wildlife rescue center. During its treatment, the bird developed neurological symptoms and subsequently died.

Subsequent tests conducted by the National Institute of Wildlife Disease Control and Prevention identified the H5 antigen in the bird's carcass on Saturday, with final confirmation of the virus occurring on Tuesday. In response to the detection, authorities have intensified disinfection measures and expanded their monitoring efforts of wild bird habitats in and around the Seodaemun area where the infected goose was found, as per city officials.