Avian Influenza in the Republic of Korea - KOREA - This follow-up report (No. 1) via OIE confirms the diagnosison the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the Eumsung district of South Korea.

See also: 12 December 2003

Information received on 17 December 2003 from Dr Chang-Seob Kim, Chief Veterinary Officer, Animal Health Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), Gwacheon:

End of previous report period: 12 December 2003 (see Disease Information, 16 [50], 270, dated 12 December 2003).

End of this report period: 16 December 2003.

Outbreaks:

Location	No. of outbreaks
Eumsung district, Chungcheong-buk province, in the central part of the country	2 farms

The second outbreak is located 2.5 km from the first affected farm.

Description of affected population in the outbreaks: one parent stock farm for broilers with 26,000 chickens (47 weeks’ old) and one parent stock farm for ducks with 3,300 ducks (43 weeks’ old).

Total number of animals in the outbreaks (updated data):

species	susceptible	cases	deaths	destroyed	slaughtered
avi	29,300	24,300	21,000	8,300	0

Diagnosis:

A. Laboratory where diagnosis was made: National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service (NVRQS), Anyang, Kyonggi.

B. Diagnostic tests used:

- haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test positive on 11 December 2003;

- polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive on 12 December 2003;

- neuraminidase inhibition test positive on 12 December 2003;

- cytopathic effect positive on 15 December 2003.

C. Causal agent: avian influenza virus subtype H5N1.

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 first affected farm.

- Samples from 3 duck farms with no clinical signs within a 3-km radius of the first affected farm have been taken to the NVRQS and are undergoing tests.

Control measures:

- stamping out in the first affected farm;

- stamping out will be applied to the neighbouring egg-producing farm and to the second outbreak duck farm;

- burial of feed, manure and table eggs in the first affected farm.

- burial of hatching eggs (67,000 eggs type A).

- quarantine;

- screening;

- zoning; movement restrictions have been applied to the affected farms, related hatchery and other farms within a 10-km-radius zone around the first affected farm;

- disinfection and extensive surveillance have been performed around the farms within a 10-km radius of the first affected farm;

- vaccination is prohibited.

Source: Office International Des Epizooties - 12th December 2003