South Korean agricultural authorities have confirmed that H5N8 cases were reported from wild birds in Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do regions and have issued a nationwide bird-flu warning.
South Korean agricultural authorities have confirmed that H5N8 cases were reported from wild birds in Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do regions and have issued a nationwide bird-flu warning.
The first case was discovered from migratory bird droppings last Oct. 25 in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, and in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.
“This is a serious situation where the pollutant can flow from the migratory bird land to the farm through various routes,” said Agriculture Minister Kim Hyeon-soo,
The ministry alongside local government units announced that they have stepped up quarantine and biosecurity measures to prevent the virus from infecting domestic poultry farms.
The ministry also recommended the daily disinfecting of farmyards to reduce risks of getting contaminated.
H5N8 is known to spread via infected birds’ body fluids or feces to other birds or animals of other species.
Because it is migration season in the country, officials feared that another outbreak might occur.
The last time an outbreak occurred, it lasted from November 2017 to February 2018 which lead to the culling of 6.54 million poultry stocks.
