South Korea probes new suspected bird flu cases

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea said on Tuesday it was investigating four new suspected cases of bird flu, including one near Seoul, adding to a string of recent outbreaks and raising concerns the disease may be spreading across the country.

In less than two weeks, South Korea has confirmed 11 cases of the deadly H5N1 strain, but all have been contained to the southwest of the country -- North and South Jeolla provinces, some 320 km south of Seoul.

"We have received four fresh reports of suspected bird flu cases on Monday and one is from a poultry farm in Pyongtaek city in Kyonggi province," the Farm Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said later in the day that the farm in Pyongtaek, around 60 km south of Seoul, was tested positive for H5 and more detailed results would be available on Thursday.

It said more than 2,000 birds at the farm would be slaughtered on Tuesday and it had stopped the shipment of birds within a 10-km radius of the affected site.

There are many types of avian flu viruses and experts are more worried about the H5 and H7 subtypes, which they think have a higher potential to mutate into forms that could pass easily between people and cause a pandemic.

The H5N1 strain, which has killed at least 169 people since 2003, is the top concern.

South Korea, which has culled nearly 2 million poultry this month, said it would continue quarantine work in suspected areas and encourage poultry consumption amid rising consumer concern.

Duck and chicken prices have dropped 10 percent this month, while chicken sales at four major retailers surveyed by the ministry showed a 20 percent decline.

South Korea had seven outbreaks of H5N1 between November 2006 and March 2007 and spent 58 billion won ($59.22 million) on quarantine measures.