Korea has confirmed two additional cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza at poultry farms, bringing the total number of cases this season to 48, officials said Tuesday. The new cases were reported at layer farms in Seongju, around 220 kilometers south of Seoul, and Gimje, some 200 kilometers south of the capital, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters. Authorities said they are currently controlling access to the farms, carrying out the culling of the affected birds and investigating the cases. A 24-hour standstill order has also been issued for neighboring areas of the farms, they added. "As layer farms have reported numerous bird flu cases among poultry farms, we call on regional governments to take preventive measures, including managing designated areas, deploying officers and carrying out inspections to prevent additional cases," an official from the agriculture ministry said.