Low-Path Bird Flu Spreads in S Korea

SOUTH KOREA - Ducks on four more farms have been found to be positive for the H7N7 sub-type of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI).

7 June 2010

3 minute read

The veterinary authority send Follow Up Report No. 1 dated 4 June to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

The report describes the discovery of four new farms affected by LPAI between 18 and 25 May. Ducks on all farms were found to be positive for the H7N7 strain of the avian influenza A virus. They were in the two southern provinces of Chulla namdo (where the previous virus-positive birds were found) and in neighbouring Chulla bukdo.

In total, 32,882 were affected and all have been destroyed.

According tot he report, after the previous LPAI outbreaks in Cholla-namdo on 13 May 2010, the local veterinary authorities have been tracing the epidemiologically linked farms and conducting tests for avian influenza.

During the testing for avian influenza, two duck farms in Cholla-namdo and two duck farms in Cholla-bukdo were found to be positive by haemagglutination tests on 26 May and 2 June, respectively.

The National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service (NVRQS) found avian influenza antigen (H7) by PCR on 26 May and 2 June. The NVRQS then confirmed it as low pathogenic avian influenza virus (H7N7) by gene sequencing on 27 May and 3 June.

The poultry in the farms were culled as a precautionary measure and disinfection and other control measures were implemented. Currently, clinical surveillance and laboratory testing are underway for these epidemiologically linked farms.