ISTANBUL 

South Korea confirmed its first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza this year, Yonhap News Agency reported on Saturday.

The alert level was increased and quarantine measures were tightened after the discovery of the case at a poultry farm in Gyeonggi Province's Paju, north of Seoul.

This is the earliest detection of the virus in recent years, as outbreaks have typically been reported in October or November.

The alert level has now been elevated from "attention" to "caution."

Inspections will be carried out at chicken farms in the province, along with poultry vendors at traditional markets and livestock transport vehicles nationwide, to ensure compliance with disinfection and quarantine protocols.