# 2165
South Korea learned an expensive lesson this spring; that unlike man, the H5N1 virus doesn't bother to read calendars.
Previously thought to only pose a serious threat to South Korea during the late fall and winter months (Nov-Mar), heightened testing and surveillance was pretty much limited to that 4-month window.
This year, of course, things changed. South Korea saw their worst bird flu outbreak ever, and it started in early April and ran through May 12th.
Given the dangers (and the cost) of another outbreak, South Korea will begin stepped up year-round surveillance of migratory and resident birds, and bi-weekly testing at poultry and duck farms for H5N1 and other avian influenzas.
SKorea to start year-round monitoring for bird flu
Tue Jul 22, 2:30 AM ET
SEOUL (AFP) - South Korea will start year-round monitoring for bird flu after this year's outbreak -- the country's worst -- began later than normal, the agriculture ministry said Tuesday.
It said migratory and resident wild birds would be monitored regularly and all chicken and duck farms would be inspected every other week for both the virulent and less contagious strains of avian influenza.
Some 23 monitoring teams will be established nationwide.
Quarantine authorities were caught by surprise when an outbreak began in early April and swept through most of the country.
In the past a heightened bird flu alert was in force from November to March, when migratory birds stay in the country and weather conditions may help spread the virus.
