Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza_ South Korea

December 16, 2003

Summary:

A South Korean (Republic of Korea) Agriculture Ministry official confirmed a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 in chickens.  The first case was detected in early December, on a parent stock farm for broilers in the Eumsung district, Ch’ungch’ong-bukto province.  A news report states that a second case of HPAI has been confirmed in ducks at a farm near the first case.  This is the first reported outbreak of HPAI for South Korea .  South Korea had reported cases of low pathogenic avian influenza in recent years.

South Korea has about 115 million poultry and produced about 530,000 and 450,000 metric tons of poultry eggs and poultry meat respectively in 2002.  In terms of total world stocks and production, South Korea is a minor player, accounting for less than 0.1% of both stocks and production.  South Korea ’s poultry industry is mainly for local consumption with few exports.

The United States (US) imported no poultry or poultry products from South Korea in 2002 and through October 2003.  South Korea is not recognized by the US as free from exotic Newcastle disease, which effectively prohibits imports of poultry from South Korea .

How extensive is highly pathogenic avian influenza in South Korea , and what was South Korea ’s disease status prior to the outbreak?

A South Korean (Republic of Korea) Agriculture Ministry official confirmed a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 in chickens on December 15, 2003.   The first case was detected in early December, on a parent stock farm for broilers in the Eumsung district, Ch’ungch’ong-bukto province (see map), in the central part of the country, 80 km (50 miles) southeast of Seoul.  The affected flock contained 24,000 chickens.  Of the 24,000 birds, there were 19,000 confirmed deaths and 5,000 destroyed.  Control measures include stamping out, quarantine, and zoning; movement restrictions set up within a 10-km-radius zone around the affected farm.  A news report states that a second case of HPAI has been confirmed in ducks at a farm near the first case.

This is the first reported outbreak of HPAI for South Korea .  South Korea had reported cases of low pathogenic avian influenza in recent years.

Source: OIE Disease Information Report, December 12, 2003, Vol. 16 – No 50; ProMED, December 12, 2003, Archive Number: 20031212.3047; AnimalNet, December 15, 2203, Xinhuanet, Dec. 16, 2003.   

What is South Korea ’s place in the international market for poultry and poultry products?

South Korea has about 115 million poultry and produced about 530,000 and 450,000 metric tons of poultry eggs and poultry meat respectively in 2002.  In terms of total world stocks and production, South Korea is a minor player, accounting for less than 0.1% of both stocks and production.

Table 1: Poultry Stocks and Production, South Korea 2001 and 2002

Source:  United Nations FAO

South Korea ’s poultry industry is mainly for local consumption with few exports. South Korea exported live poultry, poultry meat, and liquid eggs (dried) valued at about $4.8 million in 2001.  Exports of live chickens, liquid eggs, and poultry meat accounted for less than 0.1% of total world exports for these products. 

Table 2:  Exports of live poultry and poultry products, South Korea , 2001

Source: United Nations FAO

What are the US imports of poultry or poultry products from South Korea ?

The US did not receive any imports of poultry or poultry products from South Korea in 2002 and through October 2003.  South Korea is not recognized by the US as free from exotic Newcastle disease, which effectively prohibits imports of poultry from South Korea .

Neither Canada nor Mexico imported any live poultry or products of concern from South Korea in 2002 and through October 2003.

Source: World Trade Atlas, VS Import Database

What is the level of passenger traffic arriving in the US from South Korea ?

In fiscal 1999, a total of 1,158,090 passengers arrived in the US from South Korea on direct flights.  However, some of these passengers could be in transit and may not have originated their travel in South Korea , as only about 498,643 arrivals in the U.S. reported South Korea as their country of residency.

As part of USDA, APHIS- PPQ’s Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Monitoring system, 2,584 air passengers arriving in the US from South Korea in fiscal year 2002 were sampled for items of agriculture interest.  Of these passengers, 1 group was found to be carrying 8 preserved eggs.  This group was not planning to visit or work on a ranch or farm while in the US .    

Source: Office of Travel & Tourism Industries, US Department of Commerce, USDA APHIS-PPQ Agricultural Quarantine Inspection database.

CEI’s plans for follow up:  At this point in time, CEI does not intend to produce any follow-up reports regarding HPAI in South Korea .  If you need more information or if you want to comment on this worksheet, you may reply to this message, or contact Judy Akkina (970-494-7324) or Elizabeth Williams (970-494-7329).