SECOND CASE OF AVIAN INFLUENZA CONFIRMED

[Anchor Lead]

A second case of highly pathogenic avian influenza has been reported in Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. The government believes most of the poultry farms nationwide are susceptible to the virus.

[Pkg]

A farm in Sangju that holds 180,000 hens has been confirmed to have highly pathogenic avian influenza. The first case this year was reported on a duck farm in Jeollabuk-do Province. The government has issued a temporary movement ban for the Gyeongsangbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Chungcheonbuk-do, Sejong and Gangwon regions until 9 p.m. of December 3.

[Soundbite] LEE JAE-WOOK(VICE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS) : "It's a serious situation with all regions being at risk of contracting highly pathogenic avian influenza."

The government believes farms all over the country are susceptible to highly pathogenic avian influenza because of migratory birds. Not a single case was detected among wild birds in the past two years. But this year alone more than 10 cases have been reported. They occurred in various parts of the country including Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Gangwon-do provinces. Their number keeps growing as migratory birds are moving around more than in previous years.

[Soundbite] CHOI KANG-SEOK(PROF., SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY) : "Quite a few migratory birds coming to Korea have highly pathogenic bird flu."

Experts believe avian influenza is more infectious than ever before and more poultry farms will likely fall victim.

[Soundbite] CHO HO-SUNG(PROF., JEONBUK NATIONAL UNIVERSITY) : "The virus is more infectious now than it was in the past. It can even kill eagles."

When bird flu is confirmed, birds from the affected farms as well as from nearby farms are culled en masse, resulting in snowballing damage. Korea has lost its status as a bird flu-free region, and its poultry exports are plummeting. The government is urging farmers to install quicklime belts at the entrance of their farms and take precautions thoroughly by disinfecting the yards and barns on a daily basis.