Following the pattern of previous years, outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian (HPAI) influenza occurred among commercial farms in both Japan and South Korea during the past week.  The outbreaks are in all probability the result of avian influenza virus introduced and disseminated by migratory marine birds and waterfowl.

The sixth case in Japan this season was confirmed in a flock of 50,000, (presumably) egg production hens in the city of Yamagata in Gifu Prefecture on January 4^th.  The restricted zone includes quarantine with permitted movement of eggs and poultry and with surveillance over 25 farms.

In South Korea authorities confirmed HPAI on a duck farm housing 33,000 birds in southwestern Muan County.  This is the 26^th case, including wild birds, during the winter of 2023-24 and follows a recent diagnosis of H5 avian influenza in a farm in Goheung also located in Muan Province.

If the incidence rate of HPAI escalates, both Japan and South Korea will be obliged to import shell-eggs and egg-products to stabilize retail prices. In previous years this was necessary to satisfy demand in anticipation of the Lunar New Year that will be celebrated on February 10^th.