Experts conclude migratory birds responsible

A drone helicopter and vehicles spray disinfectant on a field in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, Tuesday, after a duck breeding farm there was confirmed to be infected by the H5N8 strain of avian influenza. / Yonhap

By Kim Da-ye

A committee of experts announced Tuesday that it assumes migratory birds were responsible for this year’s outbreak of avian influenza.

The dynamics-investigation committee of the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (QIA) said the H5N8 strain of bird flu was likely introduced to Korea by migratory birds because the viral subtype had not been found in Korea before.

“The highly pathogenic avian influenza that broke out in Korea in the past was the H5N1 strain, nor the H5N8,” the agriculture ministry said in a statement based on the committee’s findings.

The committee has examined more than 2 million samples from poultry and migratory birds over the past three years and has not detected H5N8.

In the meantime, as fear against the spread of bird flu heightens, measures to prevent it have become tougher. This time, a municipal government decided to cull ducks in a poultry farm before the quarantine authority confirmed infection.

A duck farm in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province, reported a suspected case of bird flu Monday ― the first report from the province. The municipal government decided to cull a total of some 14,000 ducks at the farm and another within 500 meters of the former as a preventive measure.

With more farmers forced to destroy their birds, the government vowed to compensate them as soon as possible.

“We will support the affected farms with compensation for culled poultry and funds to stabilize their livelihood, so that they rise again as soon as possible. Part of the compensation will be paid out before the Lunar New Year holiday,” Lee Dong-phil, the minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs, said.

The ruling Saenuri Party has recommended that half of the total compensation should be paid before the national holiday.

Since the 10th report of a suspected outbreak was made last Sunday, four more have been filed ― by the duck farm in Jincheon, another in Yeongam, South Jeolla Province, and chicken farms in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, and Buan, North Jeolla Province.

The possible outbreak in Pyeongtaek intensified concerns of contagion because it indicates that the disease has now reached the metropolitan area of the capital.

The farm in Pyeongtaek reported a suspected case Tuesday after some 1,700 chickens were found dead. The QIA hasn’t confirmed the presence of avian influenza at the farm, and the agriculture ministry has tentatively ruled it out. A high ranking official told the press that the dead chickens seemed to have died of bronchitis, not avian influenza.

The agriculture ministry announced Tuesday that it will focus its efforts on publicity campaigns and disinfection.

While running public service announcements on television and radio between Jan. 28 and Feb. 6, the ministry will install disinfection facilities across regions affected by avian influenza, especially at highway ramps and exits, and in bus terminals.