05.12.2016

KBS World radio

Avian influenza in South Korea is spreading quickly. Gangwon Province got its first case of the highly pathogenic virus since the H5N6 strain of avian influenza was first detected in South Jeolla Province last month. The epidemic has caused nearly 3.4 million chickens and ducks to be culled. 
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said a chicken in a farm in Cherwon in Gangwon Province tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI).
It is the first time the H5N6 strain of avian influenza was confirmed in Gangwon Province in the central-eastern part of the country since the outbreak was first reported in the southwestern coastal town of Haenam.
A total of 69 farms in seven cities or provinces have confirmed H5N6 cases since November 15th.  Only two Gyeongsang Provinces remain unaffected, but experts say it is only a matter of time before it reaches the area. 
According to the ministry, around 3,381,000 poultry, including 2,516,000 chickens, 794,000 ducks and 71,000 quails, have been culled nationwide after the birds were confirmed, or suspected, of having the virus. 
Most of the culled ducks had been raised at the farms in the North Chungcheong Provincial counties of Eumseong and Jincheon, making them among the hardest hit areas. It accounts for more than half of the ducks bred at the farms in North Chungcheong.