OIE: Low pathogenic avian influenza (poultry), Korea (Rep. of)

Information received on 13/12/2009 from Dr Kiyoon Chang, CVO & Director, Labelling, Quarantine and Inspection Division, Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry (MIFAFF), Gyeonggi -Do, Korea (Rep. of)

Summary

Report type Immediate notification
Start date 26/11/2009
Date of first confirmation of the event 13/12/2009
Report date 13/12/2009
Date submitted to OIE 13/12/2009
Reason for notification Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence 31/12/2008
Manifestation of disease Sub-clinical infection
Causal agent Low pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype H7N2
Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to a defined zone within the country

New outbreaks

Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 1
Location(s)
  • CHOLLA-NAMDO (Sukgok-myun, Sukgok-myun, Goksung-gun)
Total animals affected
Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered
Birds 174 10 1 173 0
Outbreak statistics
Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Birds 5.75% 0.57% 10.00% 100.00%

* Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter

Epidemiology

Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
  • Unknown or inconclusive
Epidemiological comments As part of avian influenza surveillance in the Republic of Korea, Livestock Health Control Association collected on 26 November 2009 faecal samples from chickens and ducks in Sukgok traditional market place (Goksung-gun, Chollanamdo), a market which is held in every 5 days. The samples were sent then to Seoul National University, which is one of the preliminary testing laboratories for avian influenza. A sample from a duck was proved as positive using haemagglutination test on 8 December. For confirmatory test, the sample was sent to the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service (NVRQS) on the same day.
The NVRQS confirmed using gene sequencing that the virus isolated from duck faeces was low pathogenic avian influenza virus H7N2 subtype. The remaining 173 chickens and ducks retained by the index seller were culled and burned.
After this confirmation, the investigation is underway to trace the farmer who supplied chickens or ducks to the index seller and the epidemiologically related farms. The avian influenza surveillance in the area surrounding the farms will be intensified.

Note by the OIE Animal Health Information Department: H5 and H7 avian influenza in its low pathogenic form in poultry is a notifiable disease as per Chapter 10.4. on avian influenza of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code (2009).

Control measures

Measures applied
  • Stamping out
  • Screening
  • Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)
  • Vaccination prohibited
  • No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied
  • Zoning

Diagnostic test results

Laboratory name and type National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service (NVRQS) (National laboratory)
Tests and results
Species Test Test date Result
Birds gene sequencing 13/12/2009 Positive
Birds real-time PCR 13/12/2009 Positive

Future Reporting

The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.