Seoul: The government will implement a set of special quarantine measures this month to prevent the further spread of avian influenza (AI), officials announced.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Central Disaster Management Headquarters (CDMH) reported that 30 cases of highly contagious AI have been confirmed at poultry farms and 22 cases among wild birds since the onset of the cold season. Three strains of bird flu viruses-H5N1, H5N6, and H5N9-have been reported this winter. This marks the first instance in the country's history where more than two strains of AI have been simultaneously confirmed. The H5N1 strain has been noted to be at least 10 times more infectious than in previous years.

In response to the current situation, authorities will deploy quarantine officials to 539 layer farms, each raising more than 50,000 laying hens, across the nation over the next two weeks for thorough inspections. Additionally, authorities plan to enhance disinfection measures on roads near migratory bird habitats and poultry farms. Random inspections on farming vehicles entering these farms will also be conducted to curb the spread of the virus.