October 20, 2010

South Korea detects low-pathogenic bird flu

Low-pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) has been found at a farm in the west of South Korea during routine surveillance.

The veterinary authority sent an Immediate Notification dated October 17 to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

The report describes the reoccurrence of LPAI, last seen in the country in late June this year.

Sub-clinical infection was found on October 5 at a farm at Changso-ri in Chungcheongnam-do in the west of the country. All 3,274 birds in a mixed flock of ducks, chickens and turkeys have been destroyed.

The H7N7 sub-type of the virus has been confirmed.  The report adds that, as part of the continuous avian influenza surveillance programme, Chungcheongnam-do Veterinary Research Institute tested the samples (faeces and laryngo-pharyngeal swabs) collected from ducks in the farm located in Changso-ri, Yesan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do on October 5.

Haemagglutination test results were positive on October 15. The National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service (NVRQS) found avian influenza antigen (H7N7) by PCR on October 15 and confirmed it as low pathogenic avian influenza virus (H7N7) by gene sequencing on October 16.