The five-month spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza is showing no signs of coming to an end.
 
The Agriculture Ministry said that a suspected case was reported in a chicken farm in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, on Wednesday. It tested positive for the H5 strain of bird flu, leading to the culling of 22-thousand chickens. 
 
On the same day, an H5 case was also confirmed on a duck farm in Jangheung, South Jeolla Province. 
 
Quarantine authorities believe that the spread of the H5N6 virus has been contained to some extent. However, the H5N8 strain is still widespread, especially in Jangheung and Iksan in Jeolla Province and Nonsan in South Chungcheong Province. 
 
Nearly 38 million poultry birds have been culled since the first avian influenza case was reported on November 16th last year.