A second outbreak of bird flu has been confirmed in a poultry farm in Iksan 155 miles south of Seoul, South Korea.  In an attempt to thwart an outbreak similar to the devastating outbreak of 2003 an aggressive culling of poultry and animals is underway.

Officials began the slaughter on Tuesday.  Park Kyung-hee, an Iksan city official, indicated the culling would include 677 dogs raised on a farm for their meat and 300 pigs.  Numbers of other dogs and cats including pets to be exterminated were not estimated.  The culling will go as far as killing the mice in the area.

The World Health Organization has confirmed 253 human cases of bird flu resulting in 153 deaths, a staggering 59% death toll. To date there has been no documented evidence to suggest that the H5N1 form of bird flu can be spread to humans by dogs, cats or pigs.

It is clear however that pig to human transmission of seasonal flu occurs and authorities are being cautious. Most animals that have become infected are believed to have acquired the virus by eating infected raw birds or poultry.  Cats are known to be able to spread the infection to other cats and it is believed that at least some of the tiger deaths have been due to tiger to tiger transmission as well.

Kim Chang an official with the health ministry said that other Southeast Asian countries also cull dogs, pigs and cats, but just haven’t  publicized it.  Kim stated that all mammals are potentially a source of the virus and that South Korea was just trying to take all precautionary measures to contain the virus.

European countries have issued guidelines to pet owners in areas where exposure to bird flu may occur. Recommendations include keeping cats indoors and dogs on leash. Bird flu is known to be present in bird excrement and carcasses both of which should be avoided.

One of the often unappreciated dangers of the H5N1 version of avian influenza is its’ ability to infect many non-avian species.  This broad host spectrum is something that’s not common amongst flu viruses.  Cats for example are usually not infected with influenza A viruses. 

H5N1 has been associated with death in many mammalian species including, dogs, cats, pigs, ferrets, tigers, snow leopards and fox.  According to the Center for Disease Control other mammals may be susceptible as well. The virus is continually evolving and appears to be expanding its’ host range.

Studying the evolution of H5N1 Dr Kawaoka, of the University of Wisconsin, has found isolates of the virus from humans that have acquired two mutations that make them better suited to infecting humans. He said, “We are watching this virus turn itself into a human pathogen.”

The tragic death of dogs and cats in Korea has stirred the hearts of many and made headlines. This drastic action serves as wakeup call to prepare and protect our loved ones including the furry ones.  The time to act though is now as a much larger tragedy will ensue if the virus continues to evolve to a pandemic strain.