Seoul shuts park, probes open market for avian flu

SEOUL — Seoul officials have closed a children’s park and are investigating an open-air market after four birds were discovered to have been contaminated with avian flu, according to South Korean news reports.

South Korean officials have struggled to contain outbreaks at poultry farms in recent weeks. Nearly 4 million poultry and 30 million eggs have been destroyed.

It’s the first time avian flu has reached Seoul, according to a Korea Times report, and authorities closed Children’s Grand Park, about a half-mile from where the birds died.

Migrating water fowl typically spread the disease to domestic chickens, ducks and other fowl. Birds carry the virus in their saliva and feces, spread it easily to each other and die rapidly, usually within 48 hours of contracting the disease.

U.S. military medical officials have said that anyone who has been around dead or live birds, or someone with avian flu, should visit a doctor.

Symptoms of bird flu include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, eye infections, trouble breathing or expanding lungs, and pneumonia.