20.01.2014

Two duck farms in Buan, 280 kilometers south of Seoul, were reported to be infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI).
On Friday, the government confirmed the outbreak of H5N8 in Gochang, 296 kilometers south of Seoul, the first outbreak of AI since May 2011. It culled some 20,000 birds at the farm.
The Gochang case and the Buan case were reported within the interval of a day, but rather than the AI in Gochang spreading to Buan, it is likely that the two places were exposed to the virus at around the same time.
The quarantine authority has launched an investigation into the possibility that migratory birds are involved.
South Korea confirmed today the presence of AI in a group of migratory birds found dead last week, suggesting a possible cause for the recent infection of poultry at farms and raising concern that the infection may spread further. Tests were conducted after some 100 migratory birds were found dead at a reservoir in North Jeolla Province in the country's southwest over the weekend, following an outbreak of AI at several duck farms. Three avian influenza cases, including two confirmed cases, have been reported at poultry farms in Gochang and Buan, all in the vicinity of the reservoir.