Infectious Diseases 2003

Authorities in the Republic of Korea have formally reported an epidemic of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), caused by the H5N1 strain of the virus, at a chicken farm. This marks the first occurrence of HPAI in the country.

The sudden death of chickens at a farm in the Eumsung district, near the capital city of Seoul, has raised suspicions of an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the Republic of Korea. Testing has been initiated. Of the 24,000 chickens on the farm, 19,000 died between December 5 and December 11.

Jan Bosch, 57, a veterinarian of the Poultry Health Services in Deventer, passed away on April 17 due to complications from avian influenza.