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New bird flu outbreak in S Korea | New bird flu outbreak in S Korea |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Health workers in South Korea have begun to cull thousands of chickens after a new bird flu outbreak was discovered near the capital, Seoul. | Health workers in South Korea have begun to cull thousands of chickens after a new bird flu outbreak was discovered near the capital, Seoul. |
Chickens began dying on Tuesday at a poultry farm near Ansung, 80 km (50 miles) south of Seoul, officials said. | Chickens began dying on Tuesday at a poultry farm near Ansung, 80 km (50 miles) south of Seoul, officials said. |
The outbreak is the country's sixth since bird flu reappeared there three months ago after a three-year absence. | The outbreak is the country's sixth since bird flu reappeared there three months ago after a three-year absence. |
It is not yet known whether it is the H5N1 strain of the virus, which is potentially fatal to humans. | It is not yet known whether it is the H5N1 strain of the virus, which is potentially fatal to humans. |
"Test results confirmed that breeding chickens at a farm in Iljuk village were infected with highly contagious bird flu virus," the agriculture ministry said in a statement. | "Test results confirmed that breeding chickens at a farm in Iljuk village were infected with highly contagious bird flu virus," the agriculture ministry said in a statement. |
The farm houses more than 130,000 chickens. | The farm houses more than 130,000 chickens. |
Officials have ordered an immediate cull of the birds and another 107,000 on 28 nearby farms. | Officials have ordered an immediate cull of the birds and another 107,000 on 28 nearby farms. |
That will bring to more than two million the number of birds slaughtered in the country since bird flu reappeared there in November 2006. | That will bring to more than two million the number of birds slaughtered in the country since bird flu reappeared there in November 2006. |
More than 160 people worldwide have died of the H5N1 strain of bird flu. | More than 160 people worldwide have died of the H5N1 strain of bird flu. |
The World Health Organization has warned of a potential pandemic if the virus mutates to a form that can be more easily contracted by humans. |
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