Korea confirms another case of highly pathogenic avian influenza
The government said Saturday it has confirmed another case of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) in wild birds amid growing concerns over the disease's possible spread to poultry farms. Yonhap
The government said Saturday it has confirmed another case of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) in wild birds amid growing concerns over the disease's possible spread to poultry farms.
The fourth outbreak of the strain of bird flu this year occurred in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The disease was found in a sample taken from mandarin ducks captured Tuesday.
The administration has banned the entry of people and vehicles within a 500-meter radius of the location where the sample was collected. A transportation ban was issued on farms within a 10-kilometer radius as well.
South Korea has raised its guard against the disease since late October, when it found a highly pathogenic H5N8 strain of bird flu near a creek in Cheonan, 92 kilometers south of Seoul. This was the first avian influenza case in the country in 32 months.
A few days later, authorities confirmed another case in Yongin, near the capital. The third case was again reported in Cheonan, Tuesday.
Highly pathogenic AI is very contagious and can cause severe illness and even death in poultry.
The government is currently also investigating six other suspected cases from across the country. (Yonhap)