South Korea has not seen an avian influenza outbreak since early last year, but has been stepping up efforts to counter a potential spread of the deadly flu.

The country is also home to an international research center that has set up a consortium to help monitor the disease and promote development of a vaccine.

“The ministry issues an advisory on Oct. 14 from concerns that avian influenza may enter the country with the arrival of northern migratory birds as (the disease) continues to break out in neighboring countries,” the ministry said in a statement.

Farmers have been advised to prevent their poultry from coming in contact with migratory birds and call a quarantine hotline at the first sign of illness among their birds.