The government has issued a standstill order for poultry farms across the nation amid continued reports of cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Quarantine authorities said on Sunday that they issued the 24-hour standstill order effective from midnight on Sunday to block the spread of the deadly animal disease.

The order is applied to all poultry farms and related livestock facilities across the nation, banning the movement of all livestock, workers and vehicles.

Violators of the standstill order will face up to one year in prison or fines of ten million won or nine thousand U.S. dollars.

The government plans to form teams to check if the affected facilities are faithfully implementing the order, while disinfecting poultry farms, livestock facilities and habitats for migratory birds.