The ministry said it imposed a nationwide movement ban on poultry, vehicles and farm workers starting Monday for 48 hours to contain further outbreaks, while the measures will be effective for seven days in Gochang and nearby areas.

The government raised its avian influenza alert status to the highest level to combat the disease from the beginning.

"I ask all government ministries and provincial governments to closely cooperate in implementing appropriate quarantine measures," Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said in an emergency order.

It is the first time in five months that South Korea reported a confirmed bird flu case on July 13. The country suffered the worst avian flu outbreak last year which lasted nearly eight months, with millions of chickens and ducks culled. (Yonhap)