Bird Flu Outbreak

[Anchor Lead]

Two storks that died at Seoul Grand Park, the nation's largest theme park, are confirmed to have contracted avian influenza. Seoul Grand Park, home to some 600 rare birds, is now on high alert and taking follow-up measures including culling some animals.

[Pkg]

Concerns have turned into reality at Seoul Grand Park which has enforced emergency quarantine measures. For one, 60 birds will receive biopsy tests every day. In this test, tissues from the neck area are collected to test for avian influenza infection. The test results which come out as early as in just one day are also reliable. If the samples test positive for H5, the birds will be culled immediately regardless of whether or not the strain is highly pathogenic.It becomes a problem if the number of birds to be buried sharply rises. Of the 60 or so rare bird species kept at Seoul Grand Park, 13 of them exclusively exist at the park including the cassowary and spoonbill. If they are culled, their species will no longer exist in Korea. If test results are negative for AI, the birds will then be isolated for strict protection. The Jeonju Zoo in Jeollabuk-do Province meanwhile closed on Wednesday. This marked an unprecedented case where the bird sanctuaries at all 13 zoos nationwide have shut down together for the first time.