April 9, 2008

South Korea suspects fourth bird flu outbreak, to step up culling efforts

South Korea has received its fourth alert of a possible bird flu outbreak following two confirmed cases, as the country plans to step up on culling operations in a bid to contain the disease.

A duck farm in Jeongeup, 250 kilometres south of Seoul is currently under investigation for suspected bird flu outbreak after 430 ducks died suddenly, according to agriculture ministry officials.

The duck farm is located three kilometres away from a H5N1 infected area, and also 30 kilometres south of Gimje, where a chicken farm was infected by H5N1 last week.

All confirmed and suspected cases have been reported since April 2 in North Jeolla province, where the poultry industry is situated in.

In order to prevent the spreading of the disease, the ministry would be culling a total of 380,000 birds, including those already culled at the affected farms, said a ministry official.

Transportations of poultry, trucks and people within a 10-kilometre radius are also restricted as part of the prevention effort.

South Korea reported seven cases of H5N1 infection between November 2006 and March 2007, and poultry exports were temporarily suspended.