Avian Influenza in the Republic of Korea
KOREA - This is a report via OIE on the suspected outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
15 December 2003
3 minute read
(Disease never reported before in the Republic of
Korea).
Emergency report
Information received on 12 December 2003 from Dr Chang-Seob Kim, Chief Veterinary Officer, Animal Health Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), Gwacheon:
Date of the report: 12 December 2003.
Date of initial detection of animal health incident: 11 December 2003.
Outbreaks:
| Location | No. of outbreaks |
| Eumsung district, Chungcheong-buk province, in the central part of the country) | 1 farm |
Description of affected population: a parent stock farm for broilers.
Total number of animals in the outbreak:
| species | susceptible | cases | deaths | destroyed | slaughtered |
| avi | 24,000* | 19,000 | 19,000 | 5,000 | 0 |
* 47-week-old poultry
Diagnosis:
A. Laboratory where diagnosis was made: National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service, Anyang, Kyonggi.
B. Diagnostic tests used: polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive on 12 December 2003.
C. Causal agent: avian influenza virus subtype H5. The sequencing of the gene is in progress.
Epidemiology:
A. Source of agent / origin of infection: unknown. Under investigation.
B. Mode of spread: unknown.
C. Other epidemiological details:
- Migrating birds have frequently been observed in a corn field next to the affected farm.
- No clinical signs of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been detected in any other farm.
- There is only one farm within a 1-km radius of the farm where highly pathogenic avian influenza is suspected.
Control measures:
- stamping out;
- quarantine;
- zoning; movement restrictions set up within a 10-km-radius zone around the affected farm;
- vaccination is prohibited.
Source: OFFICE INTERNATIONAL DES EPIZOOTIES - 12th December 2003
