Wing monitoring avian flue outbreak in South Korea Published Jan. 26, 2007 By Capt. Kerry Ciolek 51st Medical Group Public Health OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- An outbreak of bird flu was discovered at a poultry farm in Iksan, Korea, about 155 miles south of Seoul, Nov. 23. The infection killed 13,000 chickens; 6,700 from a direct result of the infection, the rest were culled. Health officials have closed the farm and placed a 1,650 foot radius around the farm to be quarantined. All animals within this radius will be killed and disposed of in order to stop the spread of the disease. This strain of H5N1 infection can be lethal to poultry but poses little risk to people. Additionally, a less dangerous strain of bird flu killed about 200 chickens Nov. 24 on a farm in Pyeongtaek, 40 miles south of Seoul. The health authorities said they will ban the movement of birds in that area and will take appropriate preventive measures. The sick chickens will not be killed because they can recover from this less virulent strain of infection. The exact cause of the outbreak is undetermined and is considered unrelated to the outbreak in Iksan. Osan has taken numerous measures to ensure the safety and health for the base populace. The Public Health Office conducts monthly inspections of all food facilities. All chicken products sold at the Osan Commissary come from approved U.S. sources. All fresh shelled eggs are processed here in Korea and the Army Vet Corp performs routine inspections on these processing plants. It is also recommended to eat poultry products only from approved military sources. Osan has a broad ranging pandemic flu plan in place in case the H5N1 virusbecomes transmitted from human to human. The 51st Medical Group has also stockpiled antiviral medications in the event of an outbreak. At this point, only rare cases of bird to human infection have occurred, and there have been no proven cases of human to human transmission. Avian influenza -- the bird flu -- is a virus that infects wild birds, such as ducks, gulls, and shorebirds, and domestic poultry, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese. There is a flu for birds just as there is for humans and, as with people, some forms of the flu are worse than others. Avian influenza is primarily spread by direct contact between healthy birds and infected birds, and through indirect contact with contaminated equipment and materials. The avian influenza has now been detected in many countries. The Centers for Disease Control has not restricted travel in any country affected by H5N1. Anyone visiting a high-risk area listed on the Web site below can reduce their risk of infection by observing the following measures: - Avoid contact with live poultry and wild birds - Avoid visiting live animal markets and poultry farms - Avoid contact with surfaces contaminated with animal droppings/feces - Avoid handling birds found dead - Do not eat or handle undercooked or raw poultry, egg or duck dishes - Exercise good personal hygiene with frequent hand washing Following your return from an infected area: - Monitor your health for 10 days. If you become ill with a fever plus cough, sore throat, or trouble breathing during this 10 day period, consult a health care provider. Before you visit your health care provider inform them of: - Your symptoms - Where you traveled - If you have had direct contact with poultry or close contact with any severely ill person or persons For more information, call the Public Health Office at 784-4494 or visit www.pandemicflu.gov