Pigs imported from Canada free of new flu virus: gov't

SEOUL, May 15 (Yonhap) -- Pigs imported from Canada for breeding purposes are not
infected with the new type-A influenza that has claimed 65 lives around the
world, the government said Friday.

The National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service (NVRQS) said it checked a
total of 100 pigs on 13 farms that were brought into the country before the ban
was issued on April 29.
It said quarantine officials checked both the imported pigs and 178 animals that
were raised with them on farms, but all tests came up negative for infection with
the variant H1N1 virus.
The detailed tests that included cultivation of animal tissue samples began on
May 3.
"Since the tests turned out negative for the virus, measures restricting the
movement of the animals will be lifted, although they will be closely monitored
for any sign of illness," an NVQRS official said.
Seoul stopped all imports of live pigs from North America after large-scale
outbreaks were reported last month.
The World Health Organization, meanwhile, reported 6,497 confirmed human cases of
the influenza in 33 countries.
South Korea has confirmed three cases, with all patients having been released
from quarantine after showing no symptoms of the illness after treatment.
There have been no confirmed cases of the flu since May 3, with 22 people
undergoing detailed medical checkups at present.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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