Avian Influenza Hits Seoul
A quarantine official decontaminates the gate of the Gwangjin ward office in eastern Seoul, Tuesday, to prevent avian influenza from spreading further. The first outbreak of avian flu in Seoul was reported at an aviary in the district. / Yonhap
Avian influenza was reported to have reached Seoul, Tuesday, 35 days after the first outbreak in the southwestern provinces. The “ambush” on the capital comes as public concern has been focused on fears over mad cow disease associated with imports of U.S. beef.
The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries confirmed the presence of avian flu at an aviary in Gwangjin, eastern Seoul, the first in the capital since the outbreak on April 1 in southwestern Jeolla Province.
The authorities have taken quarantine measures to prevent the flu from spreading further by decontaminating the aviary and limiting access to a nearby children’s park and open market. They have yet to confirm if the disease is the H5N1 strain that can also be deadly to humans.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, it first received a report that two pheasants were found dead on April 28 and later one turkey and two chickens.
The National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service (NVRQS) examined the cause of the deaths and confirmed that the birds died of avian flu.
“We advise citizens to wash their hands after outdoor activities and avoid physical contact with birds,” a city official said during a news conference at the City Hall.
NVQRS officials killed and buried all the chickens, ducks, pheasants and turkeys at the aviary and closed it down.
They said it was unlikely that the disease will spread into the urban environment, but have killed some 220 birds and disinfected others after sealing off the Children’s Grand Park, 1.2 kilometers away from the aviary, and Gyeongdong market where poultry is sold.
“The chances are slim for our birds to be infected by bird flu. But we’ve taken precautionary measures and decided to kill birds vulnerable to the disease,” an official from the park said.
Meanwhile, the government said it will immediately kill and bury poultry from farms where a suspected avian influenza outbreak is reported.
bravo korea,……..
always early reaction to combat AI.