(Date of previous outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the Republic of Korea reported to the OIE: 2004).
Information received on 26 November 2006 from Dr Chang-Seob Kim, Chief Veterinary Officer, Animal Health Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), Gwacheon:
Report date: 26 November 2006.
Reason for immediate notification: re-occurrence of a listed disease or infection in a country or zone/compartment following a report declaring the outbreak(s) ended.
Identification of agent: highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1.
Date of first confirmation of the event: 22 November 2006.
Nature of diagnosis: clinical, post-mortem and laboratory.
Location of the outbreak: Iksan city (Jeollabuk-do province).
Number of animals in the outbreak: 6,500 cases, 13,300 susceptible animals, 6,500 deaths and 6,800 animals destroyed.
Description of affected population: a parent stock farm for broiler chickens (45 weeks old).
Laboratory where diagnostic tests were performed: National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service, Anyang, Kyonggi.
Diagnostic tests used:
- PCR(1),
- haemagglutination inhibition test,
- sequence analysis: amino acid sequence at cleavage site reveals a HPAI profile,
- cytopathic effect on cell culture,
- neutralisation.
Source of outbreak or origin of infection: unknown or inconclusive.
Control measures undertaken:
- control of wildlife reservoirs;
- stamping out (all poultry in the affected farm);
- quarantine (removal of feed, manure and egg plates out of the farms within a 3-km radius zone around the outbreak is prohibited);
- movement control inside the country (a 10-km radius zone around the infected holding);
- screening;
- zoning;
- burial of dead and destroyed poultry as well as of feed, manure and egg plates in the affected farm;
- disinfection and surveillance intensified in the poultry holdings.
Control measure to be undertaken: stamping out (all poultry within a 0.5-km radius zone around the outbreak).
(1) PCR: polymerase chain reaction