SEOUL — South Korea on Saturday confirmed two cases of highly pathogenic bird flu in poultry farms, raising the total caseload to 71, Yonhap reported.

The latest cases of the H5N8 strain of avian influenza (AI) were reported from egg farms in the central city of Cheonan and the southwestern city of Muan, according to the authorities.

The government said it would cull all poultry within a 3-kilometer radius of the infected farms.

The highly contagious bird flu has been discovered in farms across the country since the first such case in nearly three years was reported in late November.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is contagious and can cause severe illness and even death in poultry.

South Korea reported its first highly pathogenic case in 32 months in late October in Cheonan, 92 kilometers south of Seoul, from wild birds. — SPA