Gov`t discovers bird flu antibodies at chicken farms

SEOUL, Feb. 18 (Yonhap) -- The government said on Wednesday that it found bird
flu antibodies in chickens raised in the southwestern part of the country and
culled 20,100 birds as a precautionary measure.
The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said the antibodies
were discovered during a nationwide screening process maintained throughout the
year to deal swiftly with outbreaks.
It said the H5 and H7-type antibodies discovered on farms in Suncheon, Boseong
and Gokseong were not live viruses that could spread, but tell-tale signs that
the birds had been infected at one time.
"Judging by the fact that the birds survived, the infections were probably not
from the virulent H5N1 strain, although it was decided to cull and bury the birds
just in case," an official said.
The H5 and H7 strain viruses can mutate into the H5N1 type that has killed humans
in the past.
The expert added that the discovery of the antibodies does not in any way pose a
health threat to consumers.
Seoul heightened its bird flu monitoring this year after several virulent
outbreaks were reported in neighboring countries.
The country has been hit three times by avian influenza, with the latest outbreak
occurring in April 2008, resulting in a record 8.46 million birds being culled at
the cost of around 264 billion won (US$180 million). Other outbreaks took place
in the winter months of 2003-2004 and 2006-2007.
No South Korean national has ever become sick from bird flu, although the
government said 10 South Koreans were infected in the two previous outbreaks
without developing any symptoms.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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