South Korean authorities have already liquidated 21.7 million heads of poultry amid highly pathogenic avian influenza, Ryonghap reported.

According to the country's ministry of food, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, South Korea confirmed the first case of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza in 2020 at a duck farm in late November. The highly pathogenic strain was later found in other ducks.

Nowadays, the cases have been reported all over the country. The ministry noted that 72 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in the country since the end of November.

The national alert level for avian influenza has been raised to a serious hazard.