New Suspected Bird Flue Case Found in Yesan

Five months after the last confirmed case of bird flu in South Korea, a new suspected case of bird flu has been detected in Yesan in the nation’s central region, Yonhap News reported Saturday.

The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Saturday said that it had discovered possible bird flu outbreaks at a duck farm in Yesan, adding the National Veterinary Research Quarantine Service is currently conducting a thorough investigation for confirmation.

“We are conducting a further DNA analysis to determine whether this is the case of the highly-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI),” an official from the agriculture ministry said.

HPAI virus can cause severe illness and high mortality in poultry and humans.

The authorities plan to cull all the ducks in the farm as a pre-emptive measure. Since last outbreak, Korea has upped ante, vigorously carrying out inspections.

The final results are expected to come out Soon.