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A South Korean man was infected with the Bird Flu but showed now signs of the illness, making him the second case of a non-symptomatic H5N1 infection since nine people were found to be infected after participating in a chicken slaughter from late 2003 to March 2004. The N5N1 Bird Flu usually causes severe illness with symptoms.

The 40 year old man came into contact with the pathogen from a nearby chicken farm. The Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) performed tests on 26 residents near four poultry farms in North Jeolla Province where the bird flu was detected last November and December.

Amazingly the man showed signs of the illness with no symptoms. The Korean Herald reports that since the man has developed immunity he poses no threat of transmission. "The farmer showed signs of a subclinical infection with no symptoms of bird flu and antibodies were already formed. Although he was exposed to the virus, he is not a patient and there is no danger of the virus spreading," the Ministry of Health and Welfare said yesterday.

The Herald reports that during the 10 days of the latent period of the influenza, the farmer showed no symptoms and has remained healthy until present, the ministry said. “Moreover, the virus does not spread from body to body, so there is no need for citizens to be concerned at all."

The South Korean government says that there is no possibility that any more people will be found infected with the deadly virus. They have completed examinations on 26 people among 85 possible virus carriers. The examination results of the remaining people will be released later this month.

Since 2003 the South Korean authorities have destroyed more than 5 million poultry and spent about 45 billion won ($48 million). The Korean Newspaper Chosun Ilbo reports that in Japan, five out of 58 poultry farm owners and workers tested positive for the disease after that nation was hit by bird flu in February 2004. Some 77 non-symptomatic infections were discovered in January 2006. However, no casualties were reported.

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By marsha Quinn
Best Syndication Health Writer