H5N1 avian influenza ( bird flu ) antibodies found in 4 South Koreans
On Friday South Korea confirmed the presence of the H5N1 bird flu antibody in four people.
The Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention said the four tested positive for antibodies of the H5N1 strain of the bird flu but showed no symptoms of the disease, meaning their immune systems overcame the infection.
Blood samples from 11 South Koreans, who took part in the cull of chickens and ducks during the avian influenza outbreak between December 2003 and March 2004, were sent to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, which found that four of them - a soldier and three workers—produced antibodies, a statement from the KCDC said.
A KCDC official said the four took the antiviral drug Tamiflu at the time, did not show symptoms for 10 days and remain in good health.