H5N8 Bird Flu Outbreaks in South Korea Kill Over 2,000 Ducks
SOUTH KOREA - The South Korean veterinary authorities have reported five outbreaks of H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in farms located in North Jeolla Province, South Chungcheong Province and South Jeolla Province.
28 January 2014
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The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received follow-up report no. 1 on 27 January 2014. The affected population comprises ducks for meat and breeding ducks and the causal agent has been identified as the HPAI virus, serotype H5N8.
According to the report, on 26 January, real-time reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR), virus isolation and virus sequencing tests were conducted at the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency. All tests confirmed the presence of the H5N8 virus.
A total of 61400 ducks were found susceptible, out of which 2280 cases and deaths were reported. The remaining 59120 birds were destroyed.
According to the OIE, in addition, the Veterinary authority of the Republic of Korea is proceeding to diagnose five farms' (chickens and ducks) samples for avian influenza detection. The authority is still implementing epidemiological survey.
Control of wildlife reservoirs, stamping out, quarantine, movement control inside the country, zoning and disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s) are some of the control measures that have been applied to control the situation.
The source of the outbreaks remains unknown.
