South Korea slaughters over 11,000 ducks with bird flu strain

South Korea has slaughtered 11,604 ducks after bird flu strain H5N8 was detected in a poultry farm in Seoul.

The ducks were culled as a preventive measure after the farm in Incheon, about 80km from Seoul, reported the presence of bird flu and the deaths of dozens of ducks.

South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has confirmed the outbreak of avian influenza or bird flu after investigations carried out by the country’s animal and plant quarantine agency.

The outbreak strikes after the country secured its bird flu-free status on 18 February.

H5N8 is a subtype of the influenza A virus and not as fatal as the H1N1 virus. H5N8 infection causes flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache and coughing.

The ministry stated that the farm has been isolated to prevent virus from spreading.

After the confirmation of bird flu, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has banned the export of all poultry as well as eggs from any farm in the Gyeonggi Province.

The order will continue until 2 April.

The city has also established two disease monitoring posts that would disinfect all vehicles that enter and leave the city.

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Image: More than 11,000 ducks culled in South Korea to prevent bird flu. Photo: courtesy of dan via freedigitalphotos.