08.04.2011

South Korea confirmed an additional avian influenza case at a chicken farm, 15 days after the last outbreak was reported in the country.
Detailed tests showed that the 13,200 birds at an egg-laying farm in Yeongcheon, 344 kilometers southeast of Seoul, were infected with the virulent H5N1 strain of the avian influenza (AI).
This is the first case of the highly pathogenic avian influenza reported in the country this month. The last virulent AI outbreak was confirmed on March 24.
The farm has been placed under quarantine as of Wednesday after about 130 chickens died suddenly.
All birds on the farm will all be culled to prevent further spreading of the disease with quarantine authorities to check nearby poultry farms for similar symptoms.
The latest case marks the 52nd avian influenza outbreak confirmed in the country since suspected cases were first reported on Dec. 29. The government has since culled more than 6.27 million birds in six provinces across the country.
Prior to the latest series of outbreaks, South Korea was hit by AI three times, with the last case occurring in April 2008 and resulting in the culling of 3.45 million birds. Other outbreaks took place in the winter months of 2003-2004 and 2006-2007 (Yonhapnews).