SEOUL — South Korean officials announced an additional suspected bird flu outbreak in Pyeongtaek — about 40 miles south of Seoul, according to local news reports.

A chicken farm in Pyeongtaek — home to the U.S. military’s Osan Air Base and Camp Humphreys — reported dead birds on Monday, according to the Yonhap News Agency.

Yonhap reported that officials there killed 26,000 birds.

Earlier this month, after a reported outbreak near Kunsan Air Base, U.S. Forces Korea medical officials warned the military community to avoid undercooked chicken and eggs in off-base establishments.

Terry Klein, an 18th Medical Command regional emerging infectious disease consultant, said people should avoid runny eggs and chicken meat that is pink or bloody.

But “if the chicken products are really cooked well, it’s probably not any risk at all,” Klein added.

According to an 8th Army news release, all poultry products sold at the Army and Air Force Exchange Service and the Defense Commissary Agency — including most eggs — come from the United States and are safe.

Any eggs procured locally for resale on base are heat-treated and also safe, the release said.

Avoiding avian flu:Stay away from bird farms and bird markets, and avoid any contact with wild or farm birds.

Make sure all eggs and chicken products are well-cooked before eating. Avoid the traditional Korean dish “bibimbap,” which is usually topped with a lightly-cooked egg.

Make sure your seasonal flu shot is up to date. The shot doesn’t prevent someone from contracting avian flu from birds, but the virus can mutate in someone who contracts human and avian flu at the same time and spread to other people.

[BOLDFACE]— Source: 8th U.S. Army

Migrated