The number of poultry culled since the outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N6 strain of bird flu has surpassed the previous record posted during the country’s worst avian influenza(AI) outbreak in 2014. 

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Wednesday, ten-point-67 million birds at 257 farms were culled while three-point-78 million more are being destroyed at 27 farms.

It brings the total number of chickens, ducks and quails culled across the country since the first H5N6 case was reported on November 16th to 14-point-45 million.

The previous record was 13-point-96 million poultry culled in response to the spread of another highly pathogenic bird flu strain, the H5N8, in 2014. 

The culling in 2014 was conducted over a span of 195 days. The culling due to the current outbreak has been going on for 28 days.

The AI spread continues with six provinces and Sejong City already affected, raising the concern more birds will be lost.