Cat, dogs and bird flu
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Posted by Judy Arbique Nov 30, 2006 |
The Associated Press featured an article earlier this week suggesting that South Korea may kill dogs and cats in an effort to prevent the spread of bird flu. The announcement follows an outbreak of H5N1 virus at a chicken farm in Iksan (south of Seoul) that will result in the slaughter of more than 200,000 poultry and 6 million eggs. Pigs, dogs and cats in the region will also be killed for fear that they may become infected with the virus and pass it on to humans.
Although dogs and cats occasionally become infected by bird flu, the slaughter plan seems extreme. Cats and dogs were slaughtered in a previous bird flu outbreak in South Korea in 2003 when more than 5 million birds were slaughtered. However, the World Health Organization believes that infected dogs and cats are unlikely to present risks to human health.
Related content:
Confirmed human cases of avian flu (World Health Organization)
Avian flu (World Health Organization)