SK-Gov't Warns of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreak in Spring

Gov't Warns of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreak in Spring
Write 2013-01-15 14:32:49   Update 2013-01-15 18:28:02

The Agriculture Ministry has warned that a strain of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) is likely to go around this year.

The prediction is based on a preliminary AI test the ministry conducted on poultry farms raising chicken, duck and wild migratory birds. The test found the detection of low pathogenic AI virus in the animals increased four times last year compared to 2011.

However, the high pathogenic strain, which carries a mortality rate of over 75 percent, was not found in the latest inspection.

But the high pathogenic strain was reported in Indonesia in October and Australia in November, and migratory birds that pass through these regions fly to Korea in the spring. The ministry believes the influenza can break out in Korea as well in March or April.

South Korea is still holding on to its AI-free status as there have been no cases since May 2011. http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Ec_detail.htm?No=96037