Suspected bird flu cases discovered at duck farms in South Jeolla region

Birds that may have been infected with avian influenza (AI) have been discovered at duck farms in the South Jeolla region, the government said Sunday.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, duck farms in Yeongam and Naju in the southwestern part of the country may have contracted the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

It said the AI antigens of the H5N8 strain were discovered in birds that were to be shipped to the market.

"Under standard operating procedure, a response team has been sent to the farms and has quarantined the facilities and restricted movement of traffic," the ministry said.

It said an epidemiological investigation will be conducted at the farms to determine how the possible infections occurred.

"Depending on the results, further action will be taken," a source said.

He said the test results that will clarify if the birds have contracted HPAI will be out early this week.

The latest suspected cases come as the country confirmed a new case of bird flu on Thursday, bringing the total to eight over the last month.

The latest outbreaks, meanwhile, are viewed as a continuation of the outbreak that hit the country from Sept. 24, 2014, through June 10 of this year.

Birds at two duck farms in South Jeolla Province first tested positive for AI on Sept. 18, followed by fowl at two traditional markets, a holding facility and an eatery that serves poultry.

There was another duck farm that had infections late last month. (Yonhap)