# 10,549
Although there was never a lot of doubt, yesterday’s report of H5N8 in Jeolla Province (see Ahead Of Festival, H5N8 Detected In Korean Live Markets) has tested out to be the Highly Pathogenic version of avian influenza.
The infected birds were ducks, a species that can often carry HPAI viruses without outward signs of infection (see Reservoir Ducks).
Although human infection with this strain of H5N8 has yet to be reported, the movement of people, equipment, and poultry during the upcoming festival of Chuseok has raised concerns over the inadvertent `stealth spread’ of the virus.
This from KBS radio:
Bird Farms in Korea Fighting to Prevent AI Spread
Write : 2015-09-22 12:49:20 Update : 2015-09-22 13:44:10
Report: Avian influenza (AI) detected in ducks at Malbau Market in Gwangju and Damyang Market in South Jeolla Province over the weekend has been confirmed to be a highly pathogenic strain of the virus.
(SNIP)Out of fear that they could see a recurrence of the bird flu nightmare, Eumseong district launched large-scale, preemptive quarantine measures. It plans to disinfect both the exterior and interior of poultry farms through next Wednesday.
In a bid to block the entrance of migratory birds that could spread AI, the district will repair and review nets installed at farms and granaries. The district will mobilize four disinfection vehicles and carry out disinfection operations every day at wintering sites of migratory birds and locations that have a high density of livestock.
The district of Jincheon, which is nearby Eumseong, has also stepped up quarantine measures. Jincheon culled around 35-thousand ducks earlier this year.
Bae Joo-yon, KBS World Radio News.
