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S Korea in mass poultry slaughter | S Korea in mass poultry slaughter |
(about 7 hours later) | |
South Korean quarantine officials are to slaughter 236,000 poultry after an outbreak of the H5N1 form of bird flu at a chicken farm. | South Korean quarantine officials are to slaughter 236,000 poultry after an outbreak of the H5N1 form of bird flu at a chicken farm. |
The outbreak occurred at a farm in Iksan, about 250km (155 miles) south of Seoul, earlier this week. | The outbreak occurred at a farm in Iksan, about 250km (155 miles) south of Seoul, earlier this week. |
Test results confirmed the outbreak was caused by a type of H5N1 virus, the country's agriculture ministry said. | Test results confirmed the outbreak was caused by a type of H5N1 virus, the country's agriculture ministry said. |
It said all birds within a 500-metre (1,650-foot) radius would be culled to prevent the virus from spreading. | It said all birds within a 500-metre (1,650-foot) radius would be culled to prevent the virus from spreading. |
The ministry also said it would limit the movement of about five million chickens and ducks from 221 farms within a 10-kilometre (six-mile) radius of the outbreak. | |
Quick guide: Bird flu | Quick guide: Bird flu |
Park Yong-jong, a city official in Iksan, said the cull would begin on Sunday morning. | Park Yong-jong, a city official in Iksan, said the cull would begin on Sunday morning. |
Lee Sang-gil, head of the agriculture ministry's livestock bureau, said no people had been infected. | Lee Sang-gil, head of the agriculture ministry's livestock bureau, said no people had been infected. |
South Korea killed 5.3 million birds during the last known outbreak of bird flu in 2003. | South Korea killed 5.3 million birds during the last known outbreak of bird flu in 2003. |
The H5N1 virus began hitting Asian poultry stocks in 2003, and has killed at least 153 people worldwide. | The H5N1 virus began hitting Asian poultry stocks in 2003, and has killed at least 153 people worldwide. |
Most human cases have resulted from contact with infected birds. | Most human cases have resulted from contact with infected birds. |
Scientists fear the virus could mutate into a form that is more easily transmitted between people, possibly creating a pandemic. | Scientists fear the virus could mutate into a form that is more easily transmitted between people, possibly creating a pandemic. |