The strain of avian influenza in Korea differs in Southeast Asia

Last month's outbreak of avian influenza in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, South Korea, was caused by a strain of H5N1 virus different from the H5N1 strain in Southeast Asia, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). ).

The Ministry of Health and Social Security also said it would recommend the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to analyze more samples to determine the virus's ability to infect humans.

According to Korea's initial test, the North Jeolla virus strain is highly virulent and has the same genetic characteristics with the type found in Qingdao, China in May 2005. Types in China then also appeared in Russia, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. The general characteristics of this virus strain are brought by the migratory birds and so far have not been spread to humans.

Since the outbreak of bird flu in South Korea, consumers of this country are less likely to eat poultry meat and eggs. In November, this item sold off 2.3% compared to the same period last year.

Chickens in Korea (Photo: Reuters)

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