Bird Flu Outbreak

[Anchor Lead]

Avian influenza has spread to poultry farms in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, putting quarantine authorities on high alert. The only two regions in Korea that remain bird flu free are Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Jejudo Island.

[Pkg]

A hen farm in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do Province has tested positive for the H5 strain of avian influenza. Further tests are underway to determine if the strain is highly pathogenic. On December 20th, AI was detected in the feces of wild birds near Junam Reservoir in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do Province. It has been confirmed to be highly pathogenic. It's the second AI case involving wild birds. The first highly pathogenic case occurred in Upo Wetland in Changnyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do Province. The only two regions in the nation that are still AI-free are Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Jejudo. So far, 260 poultry farms in Korea have tested positive for avian influenza, including those where AI has been confirmed and those where the virus was detected after the culling of birds for preventative purposes. In terms of wild birds, 29 cases have been confirmed. More than 25 million birds either have been culled or will be culled soon.