Surge in bird flu cases in Asia and Europe triggers alarm

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The bird flu virus has started spreading again in Europe and Asia with several cases being reported in recent days to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).</p>
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The spread of highly infectious avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, has put the poultry industry on alert as previous outbreaks led to the culling of millions of birds causing huge losses. </p>
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It has given rise to grave concern also because the virus can be transmitted to human beings. China has reported 21 human infections with the H5N6 subtype of avian influenza so far this year.</p>
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South Korea reported an outbreak of bird flu at a farm of around 770,000 poultry in Chungcheongbuk-do, the OIE said on Monday, citing a report from the South Korean authorities. All the birds have been slaughtered.</p>
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Japan’s agriculture ministry has also reported its first outbreak of bird flu at a poultry farm in the northeast of the country.</p>
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In Europe, Norway reported an H5N1 bird flu outbreak in a flock of 7,000 birds, the OIE said.</p>
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Outbreaks generally spread by wild birds migrating over long distances due to the change in season.</p>
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The Belgian government has put the country on increased risk for bird flu, ordering poultry to be kept indoors as of Monday, after a highly pathogenic variant of bird flu was identified in a wild goose near Antwerp. This followed a similar move in neighbouring France earlier this month and in the Netherlands in October. </p>