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South Korea: Two New Bird Flu Outbreaks Reported

 

 

# 5311

 

 

In addition to their FMD woes, South Korea (along with Japan) have been dealing this winter with multiple outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic H5N1 – in wild birds and among poultry.

 

Over the past 6 weeks nearly 5.5 million birds have been culled at 249 farms in response to 43 reported bird flu outbreaks (farms in close proximity to outbreaks are also culled).

 

The OIE map below depicts 46 bird flu reports (includes wild birds & poultry) since last fall in South Korea.  A list of OIE Reports, and a summary, are available HERE.

 

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Yonhap news today has a fresh report on these latest outbreaks, located near Seoul.

 

2011/02/13 13:05 KST

S. Korea confirms 2 more bird flu outbreaks

SEOUL, Feb. 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Sunday confirmed two additional bird flu outbreaks in areas near Seoul despite nationwide efforts to stem the spread of the disease.

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South Korea’s experience shows just how difficult it is to contain H5N1 once it establishes a foothold in a region.

 

For now, the impact is primarily an economic one for Korea’s beleaguered agricultural sector. Bird flu remains difficult for humans to contract, and only rarely spreads from human-to-human.

 

That, of course, could change over time.

 

Each new outbreak is another opportunity for the virus to evolve, and to better adapt to new hosts.  And that could someday include humans.

 

So the world watchfully remains at Pre-pandemic Phase III for H5N1 and organizations like the FAO and the OIE, along with the resources of many nations, work to contain its spread.

Related Post:

Bird Flu
H5N1

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