Seoul: Avian influenza antigens of the H5 strain have been detected in a dead wild mammal in the first case reported in South Korea, the environment ministry said Tuesday. The antigens were discovered in the body of a wild leopard cat found near a reservoir in the southwestern county of Hwasun, which is located 277 kilometers south of Seoul.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the bird flu antigens were identified by the environment ministry, prompting them to notify relevant government agencies and initiate emergency anti-epidemic measures. It is expected to take up to five days to determine whether the antigens are highly pathogenic.
Theoretically, bird flu antigens can be present in mammals that have consumed infected birds. This discovery marks a significant development in the monitoring and management of avian influenza in the region, highlighting the potential risk of transmission across species.