South Korea: H5N1 in Fowl/Animals, 2 April 2008 +

[ironorehopper]

AI Viruses in Korea, Japan Same Genetically
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 17:31:02

Scientists have confirmed that the avian influenza (AI) viruses found in Korea and Japan this year are genetically almost identical, supporting the hypothesis that the AI viruses spread through migratory birds.

Kim Ki-suk, chairman of the National Veterinary Research Quarantine Service's quarantine committee said that an AI virus sample taken in Gimje, North Jeolla Province and a sample taken in Japan's Akida Prefecture were genetically 99-point-seven percent identical.

The results are believed to support the hypothesis that the AI viruses were spread to both Korea and Japan by winter migratory birds that were returning from Southeast Asia.

The same strand of highly pathogenic AI viruses were found in the two countries between 2003 and 2004 and between 2006 and 2007.

Reported by KBS WORLD Radio

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http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/newsvi...key=2008052129
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[ironorehopper]

Suspected bird flu case reported at chicken farm in central S. Korea
SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) --

A suspected bird flu case has been reported at a chicken farm in the central part of the country after over a week of no new outbreaks, the government said on Wednesday.

Quarantine officials in South Chungcheong Province said 60 chickens suddenly started dying on Monday at a farm in Nonsan, 213 kilometers south of Seoul.

It said a preliminary on-site test came up positive for the H5 avian influenza, but added that it may not be a virulent strain.
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http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news...008500320.HTML
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[HenryN]

Commentary

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[HenryN]

Commentary

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[HenryN]

AI human body infection criticizes. Government " `2.3.2 channels `" which are not infection instance; (Tablecloth) quarantine circle " With `2.3.4 channels `which are a mortality rate 65% different hereditary form of letter " Migratory bird leading influx presumption. " That there is not an infection instance, is not infected, " Criticism as usual Input: 2008.05.21 18:58 _ [this reason Pak jade white character] [co_lyu] AI (AI) human body be infected possible yes or put criticism rise be middle, government our country from occurrence do AI virus ' The type ' which is not human body infection instance; Revealed repeatedly. The Kim three national veterinarian scientific quarantine circle epidemiology investigation chairmen of a committee (Kyung Book University professor) hold a 21st press conference, " AI viruses which occur from this year domestic `2.3.2 `hereditary forms of letter " which are not human body infection instance; This " `2.3.4 channels where the human body infection mortality rate is 65% (after inside elder brother) with `different " Explained. One press quotes the words of the domestic quarantine specialists today, " This time AI knows will be infected to the human being only ' where also the lethal ratio is high; After inside China elder brother channel ' " As there is reports. Human body infection criticism of explanation [ey_to_pwul_kwu_ha_ko] domestic AI of national veterinarian scientific quarantine circle possibility the [le] with the fact that will not hold. From part ' ' where there is not a human body infection instance; Explanation ' Certainly, ' where is not infected to the human body; Does not mean the thing is worry. Quarantine master drawing " AI viruses which become ill from domestic from the American disease control center (CDC) the result tries to come out while analyzing and " where there is a possibility of knowing the dangerousness which is accurate; The human body infection dangerousness to do completely is not solved without being, suggested. ◇ domestic AI, human body infection instance the type which is not the enemy who is discovered Announcement of quarantine circle [ey_tta_lu_myen], the veteran complaint AI (H5N1) virus from `0 `until `9 `gets divided in 10 types. Each type with subordinate channel (sub clade) gets divided, this is classified with a lowest channel (sub-sub clade) again. For example H5N1 virus `2 channels `which are a veteran complaint have the subordinate channel of 5 kind with 2.1 channels, 2.2 channels, 2.3 channels, 2.4 channels and 2.5 channels. `2.3.2 channels `which occur from this year our country are to be a virus type which is not human body infection instance with lowest channel of `2.3 channels `. From here to have become for the problem, like 2.3.2 channels and is `2.3.4 channels `which are a lowest channel of 2.3 channels. 2.3.4 channels there is a human body infection instance with the fact that after inside China soaks with channel. The human body infection danger which proposes from part press domestic outbreak of illness AI hereditary form of letter `2.3.2 channels `ties with `2.3.4 channels `together, ' `2.3 channels `' where the human body infection dangerousness is high; As from sees is an explanation which is five year which come out. Kim re-red Seoul National University veterinary science and professor (former quarantine circle disease research department head) " 2.3.2 channels and 2.3.4 channels win and lowest channel (sub-sub clade) of 2.3 channels but " where they do to see respectively with separate way; " 2.3.4 channels style there is a human body infection instance but " where are not 2.3.2 channels; Emphasized. Quarantine circle also " The human body infection mortality rate being 65% " where are not 2.3.4 channel intellectual 2.3.2 channels; Attached. ◇ this year AI influx course with past same `migratory birds ` Quarantine circle the course where AI flows into this year our country revealed that the possibility which will be a migratory bird is high. When last AI occurs from 2003 and 2006 our country, the migratory bird led and flows that became known. Quarantine circle the migratory bird which moves toward the Southeast Asia area analytical goes north to 3~ April and passes our country, as being contagious AI viruses is. Dr. Korean environmental mode of life laboratory chief two one (quarantine circle epidemiology committee of inquiry) " From early in March the winter migratory bird to move toward Korea, the south China and the Southeast Asia etc. area from October about Siberia goes north, the iron ducks which go toward Southeast Asia and the wild duck etc. migratory birds go north and pass 3~ April about our country and " " " where the possibility where AI will occur because of this is high; Said.
http://www.edaily.co.kr/news/newsrea...1&curtype=read

[HenryN]

This year the AI (AI) which sweeps away the entire country is a human body infection possibility, that is visible with the fact that is a virus where also the lethal ratio is high the Seoul newspaper reported 21st. This “is not a human body infection instance, from Indonesia etc. the person with the virus which is infected the type is different and” the explanation of the very first time government which asserts and the somewhat is the something else and is paid attention. The Seoul newspaper collection of data team the Ministry of Health and Welfare under the influence disease management headquarters Kim space (39, internal medicine Prof. Korea University hospital infection) inquiry committee, Kim re-red (43, former quarantine circle disease research department head) Seoul National University veterinary science and professor and the certain person the Chung Buk University veterinary sciences which will bloom (43, department chief former quarantine circle birds disease) and the professor etc. domestic AI specialists the result which collected materials with the object, these people “this time AI will be infected to the human being only knows after inside China where also the lethal ratio is high elder brother channel” brought forward the opinion which is. After inside the elder brother is 2.3 elder brothers from AI virus classifications. But agriculture and forestry sea food department under the influence national veterinarian scientific quarantine circle epidemiology board of inquiry from the place which announces a last 16th gene analytical result “this time AI 2.3.2 channels” there is reveals. 2.3.2 channels after inside are the variant of 2.3 elder brothers who are suspicious looking. At that time persons concerned “was not a human body infection instance and” revealed to that extent. The newspaper quotes the words of the specialists, “with 2.3 elder brothers the case which will be exposed to the chicken or the duck where the case person of 2.3.2 elder brothers where the interrelationship is high hereditarily is infected to AI is not infected, that there was not a possibility of saying and” conveyed. These people “the Mammalia is infected to AI the thing the dangerousness where also the human being which is a same bell will be infected grows meat the thing that much and” indicated. 2.3.2 elder brothers are the preventive vaccine preparation advice object which prepares in dangerousness of human body infection from the antigen and hereditary quality ' data of `H5N1 (veteran complaint AI) viruses which WHO publishes actually. About the Kim three quarantine circle epidemiology investigation chairmen of a committee (50, Prof. Kyung Book University veterinarian being excessive) that “there is not an example which is infected to the human being from the newspaper and interview, [hayss], is not infected to the human being, that there was not an enemy whom says and” confuted.
http://news.chosun.com/site/data/htm...052100275.html

[HenryN]

Local Bird Flu Virus Matches Strain Found in Japan

Researchers have found that strains of bird flu found in Korea and Japan this year are almost genetically the same. The National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service said Wednesday that the genetic makeup of a strain of bird flu sampled from chickens in Gimje, South Jeolla Province was 99.7 percent identical to a sample from swans found in Japan's Akita prefecture. The finding gives grounds to analysis that the latest outbreak of avian influenza may have originated from migratory birds. Kim Jae-hong, a professor of veterinary medicine at Seoul National University, said that viruses over 99 percent genetically the same are considered the same strain. This substantiates assumptions that migratory birds spread the virus on their way north in March and April after spending the winter in Southeast Asia. Korea saw its first case of bird flu this year at a chicken farm in Gimje on April 1. In Japan, four swans were found to be infected with bird flu on April 21. This is not the first time that the same strain of bird flu has broken out in Korea and Japan; similar findings were confirmed when bird flu was reported in the two nations in 2003 and 2006. (englishnews@chosun.com ) http://english.chosun.com/w21data/ht...805220022.html

[HenryN]

Commentray

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[HenryN]

(Sangbo) geomyeokwon "65 percent mortality rate in the chain of` `different from the genotype 2.3.4"
Estimated inflow via migratory birds, "no infections infections disturbance" still controversial
Input: 2008.05.21 18:58

[Point demand bakokhui reported avian influenza (AI) infection with the human body is rising amid controversy over whether the government AI virus has occurred in our country 'with no human infections kinds' he said.

Chairperson of the National Scientific Research gimgiseok geomyeokwon dynamics (Kyungpook National University professor) to open on June 21 press conference, "AI virus has occurred this year in domestic cases of human infection is not` `2.3.2 genotype," "The mortality rate is 65 percent in` human infection 2.3.4 routes (anhuyihyeong) `different from," he explained.

The quarantine order in the domestic press, quoting experts, "said AI was also higher lethality, as well as infecting humans' routes anhuyihyeong China '," he reported.

The National Science can explain that despite the domestic geomyeokwon AI infection of humans sugeureodeulji controversy is not expected. Some of the 'no human infection cases of' explanation 'does not necessarily infected with the human body' is not meant wooryeoda.

Geomyeokwon "AI virus in the United States in balbyeonghan Center for Disease Control (CDC) during the analysis results are accurate look out unknown risks," said human infection have not been hinted at risk are fully resolved.

◇ domestic AI, no human infections kind ever discovered

According to the announcement of geomyeokwon, gobyeongwonseong AI (H5N1) virus in the `0` `` 9 divided into 10 categories. Each sub-lineage of each kind (sub clade) nanwigo euro, which is the bottom line again (sub-sub clade) are classified.

For example, the H5N1 virus gobyeongwonseongin `` two routes routes 2.1, 2.2 chains, the chain of 2.3, 2.4 routes, 2.5 kind of chain of five sub.

This year, South Korea 2.3 occurred in the `line` `` routes 2.3.2 of the lowest kind of virus is not the type of cases of human infection.

The problem here was the bottom line is 2.3.2 routes, such as 2.3 Total tongin `` routes 2.3.4. 2.3.4 routes to China in Anhui, called the chain of human infections. Some in the media have raised the risk of human infection with genotype AI outbreak domestic routes `` 2.3.2 to 2.3.4 `` routes tie with 'a high risk of human infection routes `` 2.3' he came to this place called a misunderstanding.

Maratos professor of veterinary medicine at Seoul National University (former head of research geomyeokwon disease) is a "chain of 2.3.2 and 2.3.4 of the line is the bottom line routes 2.3 (sub-sub clade) separately, but should," "My brother routes 2.3.4 Although cases of human infection is 2.3.2 routes, "he emphasized.

Geomyeokwon also "infected with the human body is 65 percent mortality is in line 2.3.4. 2.3.2 routes," he said.

In the past year, AI path ◇ influx of migratory birds, such as ``

This year our country is trapped in geomyeokwon AI path is highly likely cheolsaeil said. AI in 2003 and 2006 occurred when the country through migratory birds reportedly trapped.

Go to the Southeast Asian region geomyeokwon of migratory birds that pass through South Korea 3-4 in the buksang, AI virus infection to analyze and would be recommended.

Ecological Environment Research yihansu Korea Own Doctor (geomyeokwon dynamics investigation committee) is "around 10 Siberian birds winter in Korea, southern China, and Southeast Asian region since early March and then moved to buksang, soeohri went to Southeast Asia, while mallards and migratory birds are buksang 3-4 will be passed around our country, "" AI because it is highly likely to occur, "he said.

http://www.edaily.co.kr/news/newsrea...1&curtype=read

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/...0News/1605058/

SEOUL, May 23, 2008 (AsiaPulse via COMTEX) -- -- South Korea will upgrade its countermeasures to deal with potential human bird flu infections and allocate funds to promote research into mad cow disease, the government said Friday.

The national health promotion commission chaired by Vice Health Minister Lee Bong-wha said 658.3 billion won (US$631.3 million) will allocated this year to address general public concerns and critical issues like avian influenza and mad cow disease.

The commission said the goal for this year is to stockpile sufficient Tamiflu drugs to treat at least 2.4 million people in case there is a outbreak involving humans.

South Korean quarantine officials confirmed 42 cases of the virulent H5N1 bird flu strain since April 1, which have resulted in millions of birds being culled and buried. No confirmed bird flu cases have been reported since early last week. This is the third outbreak to hit the country with the first and second cases happening in the winter months of 2003-2004 and 2006-2007.

No Korean national has been afflicted by avian influenza, which has killed 240 people worldwide.

As part of the country's ability to cope with such an airborne disease, the commission also said it will allocate 5.4 billion won (US$5.1786 million) to double the size of special pandemic quarantine facilities. At present the country can isolate and treat a total of only 100 people.

The government, in addition, will support various research into the cause of Bovine spongiform encephalopathy more commonly called mad cow disease and the neurodegenerative variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob (vCJD) disorder that killed 207 people worldwide so far.

Emphasis of the research is to be centered on the link between genetics and susceptibility to vCJD.

The government has contended that findings showing most Koreans are genetically more susceptible to human mad cow disease than other races are not based on balanced scientific fact.

Such claims have fueled public concerns about U.S. beef imports and the government's April 18 pact that allows most cow parts to be imported.

If this new sanitary and phytosanitary standard goes into effect it will replace a deal signed in early 2006 that only permitted the import of boneless beef from cattle under 30 months old.

The commission added that to alleviate fears Seoul will set up a specialized autopsy center to better screen neurodegenerative deaths for vCJD, and improve overall detection of suspected cases.

Such measures are needed because there is widespread mistrust that some people who may have died of vCJD in the past were not properly reported.

Other uses for state funds will be to enhance warnings systems for smoking, increase support for underprivileged babies and young children so they can received nutritional food, and the setting up of two new cardio-cerebrovascular disease centers.

(Yonhap)

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news...117_25393.html
06-05-2008 17:53
Bird Flu in Retreat, Upping Chicken Prices

By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter

The outbreak of avian influenza, which rattled people for about two months, has apparently receded with no fresh incidents reported since May 13.

Seoul Metropolitan Government, where the last case was reported, confirmed Thursday that there have been no reports of suspicious deaths among poultry in the city since May 11.

``There have been no signs of another outbreak of the epidemic,'' said Kim Yoon-kyu, a Seoul city official in charge of local quarantine services. ``We have culled all questionable poultry in the capital so that there is no possibility of another case of bird flu.''

Still, city officials are still monitoring for a possible recurrence of the contagious disease around the clock.

``The government usually lifts an avian influenza warning unless a new outbreak is detected within four weeks,'' Kim said. ``We expect to lift the warning soon.''

The first outbreak occurred in mid April in North Jeolla Province. Despite the government's all-out efforts, it took less than one month to contaminate poultry in Seoul.

The authorities estimate about six million birds susceptible to the flu have been culled nationwide ― in Seoul alone, more than 16,000 were slaughtered to contain further spread of the disease virulent to both birds and humans.

Conveying poultry from an affected area to other regions is still strictly banned to prevent transmission of the disease.

Demand, Prices Rising

Consumers' appetite for chicken and other birds, once dubbed ``the meat of death,'' is returning, slowly but steadily.

Rising demand for chicken will outstrip supply in the wake of such massive culling, especially ahead of the high season for chicken soup and other dishes popular in the summer.

The supply of chicken fell more than 10 percent after the outbreak, and prices are rising at discount stores in line with growing demand. At a store in Incheon, chicken is now selling at about 3,800 won per 900 grams, up from 3,200 won at the end of March.

``When the flu was at its peak, almost no one was looking for chicken. But now we are seeing consumer demand rise again. Our sales have risen about 10-20 percent,'' a sales clerk at the store said.

South Gyeongsang Province reported Wednesday that consumption of poultry has increased notably. According to the local government, more than 560,000 chickens were consumed in May alone. In April, only 440,000 were sold at retail stores across the province.

Jeju Island resumed purchases of poultry from the mainland Wednesday, ending a two-month ban that took effect on April 4. The island has remained a bird flu free zone.

pss@koreatimes.co.kr

[Shiloh]

Source: http://english.chosun.com/w21data/ht...806110008.html

Bird Flu Warnings Lifted in Gangwon Province
Health authorities have lifted bird flu warnings from Gangwon Province as there have been no new reports of the virus among poultry there following cases back in May.

Just over a month ago, on May 4, avian influenza broke out in Chuncheon, a small city in northeastern Korea. After quarantine officials declared that bird flu had come to Gangwon Province, 60 quarantine control centers were set up across the area in just a day.

And now, as of this week, the warning has been lifted on the region and the control centers have been shut down as signs of bird flu in poultry disappeared.

Chuncheon, known for its spicy fried chicken dish, saw the number of visitors it had fall sharply due to the bird flu scare. Normally, visitors come from outside the city and country and now they are coming back.

Relieved farmers are working to recover from the month-long halt in business. The spread of the deadly flu resulted in the slaughtering of thousands of birds after it was found in various regions nationwide.

Arirang News

[ironorehopper]

Seoul Ends Anti-Bird Flu Measures
Thursday, June 12, 2008 18:16:28

Seoul City said Thursday it has terminated its quarantine measures against a recent outbreak of avian influenza (AI), as there have been no more signs of the epidemic.

The action was taken after test results of chicken and duck droppings were concluded to be negative for AI viruses.

Seoul plans to lift quarantine entry and exit bans on the sites of the outbreak in western Seoul.

However, the city government said it will continue to cull chickens and ducks suspected to be inflected with AI virus until the central government officially announces that the AI outbreak has ended.

Reported by KBS WORLD Radio
Contact the KBS News: englishweb@kbs.co.kr

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http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/newsvi...key=2008061230
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[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2...ry_249204.html

June 18, 2008
S. Korea eases bird flu quarantine restrictions

SEOUL - SOUTH Korea has eased bird flu quarantine restrictions because a month has passed since the last confirmed case, officials said on Wednesday.

The agriculture ministry said restrictions on the movement of birds, people and vehicles were lifted in 15 of the 19 districts hit by avian flu.

'No confirmed case has been reported since May 12. The government plans to ease restrictions in the remaining four places by the end of this month,' a ministry spokesman said.

If no new cases are reported in the coming months, he said, South Korea will declare itself free of the disease in August.

South Korea has culled more than eight million birds since April 1. This year's outbreak is the country's worst with damage estimated at 200 billion won (S$265 million).

In the country's 2003-2004 outbreak 5.28 million birds were culled, while a 2006-2007 outbreak resulted in 2.8 million birds being destroyed.

No human infections have been confirmed even though the H5N1 virus has killed more than 240 people worldwide since late 2003.

But the discovery of the H5N1 strain in the capital Seoul and some other cities fuelled fears of possible human victims. -- AFP

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.bosa.co.kr/umap/sub.asp?news_pk=121877

Google translation:

AI raised concerns maemolji stench chimchulsu

The Ministry of Environment, managing survey results also raised the possibility loss…

Avian influenza (AI) has taken some chicken maemolji monsoon torrential rains buried a stink that could occur, such as environmental pollution and raised concerns that chimchulsu year.

The Ministry of Environment during the past four days from July 10 farms nationwide maemolji 43 got tested positive for AI Food and Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries Department and jointly managed post-monsoon conditions and excellent contrast chasujae installing pipes (plastic, etc.) required environmental management, such as whether the checks conducted at the scene told the results revealed 27 days, huh.

Results chimchulsu check processing, such as sawdust required periodically of the overall management is sunk after some had been sunk after torrential rains in the rainy season already chimhadwae jiban is a high possibility of lost causes.

In particular, concerns have raised a stink and chimchulsu further action is required to complement the ongoing investigation.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Environment and local governments to prepare for torrential rains in multiples (chimchulsu handling) to secure installation and chasujae, jiban has already been sunk in the chimhadoen measures debated issue and pledged to push through a request soil.

In addition to the health of people drinking water for the protection of local water supply mibogeup AI raised 54.6 billion won to support the government and the regions, including jibangbi to invest 68.2 billion won by the end of this year, decided to complete the installation of water supply.

Along with the environmental impact of pre-selected to manage a small sunk so close to residential areas with yigyeokgeori environmental conditions such as groundwater and the nearby location of the ascension geological characteristics, such as repairs to pre-position selection considering plans to proceed with arguments about research.

The managing director of the Ministry of Environment and National maemolji AI approximately 100 business representatives to maemolji pollution prevention measures and post-management education, while the second environmental pollution caused by future generations of AI prevention measures will continue to push for the plan He said.
Gimwonhak reporter (green@bosa.co.kr)
Articles entered Time: 12:11:12 PM 2008-06-27