Bird Flu Case

[Anchor Lead]

The first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza of this winter has been confirmed in Gochang, Jeollabuk-do Province. Starting on Monday, a 48-hour poultry transportation ban was issued nationwide.

[Pkg]

The bird flu virus found on a duck farm in Gochang, Jeollabuk-do Province has been confirmed to be a highly pathogenic avian influenza strain. The AI virus was first detected on the farm on November 18th during pre-shipment inspections. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has found that the virus wasthe highly pathogenic strain H5N6. It's the first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza this winter. The H5N6 strain has a 100-percent mortality rate among hens. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said that it's the same strain that killed more than 38 million hens and ducks in the nation between November of last year and February of this year. The ministry has raised the avian influenza alert level to "serious." Starting on Monday, a 48-hour poultry transportation ban took effect nationwide. Staff from the duck farm in Gochang where the highly pathogenic strain has been confirmed are banned from traveling for seven days. The Agriculture Ministry has decided to set up separate headquarters to conduct disinfection at poultry farms nationwide and expand quarantine posts to all major roads in the nation. With the confirmation of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, Korea has lost its status as an AI-free country in 37 days and is now banned from exporting fresh poultry.