South Korean Government Confirms Two Poultry Stores In South Jeolla Affected With Avian Influenza After Site Inspection

Before the start of the celebration of Chuseok holiday, two cases of deadly Avian Influenza (AI) were reportedly confirmed in South Jeolla on Monday.

The two open-air markets underwent site inspections on September 15, wherein the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs tested and verified that the poultry stores are affected with H5N8 virus.

The new cases of AI were found in stores located at Damyang and Gwangju in South Jeolla where the ministry obtained 15 chickens and 16 ducks from the two stores to undergo tests.

Also, over 14,000 birds from the two markets were culled by the authorities as part of their precautionary assessments.

"We already classified some regions as 'highly risky areas,' and they are all in the Jeolla regions," says Kim Yong Sang, an Agriculture Ministry official in charge of quarantine, as reported by Korea Joongang Daily on Tuesday. "The riskiest area is Buan, North Jeolla." 

Kim adds that they have not figured out where the infected birds were bought from.

"We can't tell you where the merchants at the markets bought their ducks, as the investigation is ongoing," says Kim.

In addition, the South Korean government issued a "yellow" bird flu alert on Thursday because of the matter.

"Actions taken are in accordance with the standard operating manual set up to deal with bird flu outbreaks," says Deputy Agriculture Minister Lee Jun won, as reported by Yonhap News on September 17.

On the other hand, officials worry that migratory birds may "carry and spread a flu virus through their stools."

"Basically, the virus can be carried by clothes, shoes or cars," says Lee Yong Jin, an official from Agriculture Ministry. "But if migratory birds are infected with the AI virus, they can spread the virus in all regions in the country."

Lee adds, "We can't block the coming migratory birds. But we can at least take several quarantine measures, such as spraying disinfectant on shoes or cars visiting poultry farms."