The authorities in South Korea have confirmed two fresh outbreaks of bird flu near its capital despite major efforts to stem its spread. The agriculture ministry today said, about 8,400 ducks and chickens were culled at a farm house in Hwaseong and in the northern city of Dongducheon. Since December 31, South Korea has culled 5.45 million birds at nearly 250 farms. Last month South Korea raised its alert against bird flu. The country is also grappling with its worst outbreak of foot-and-mouth, which has forced more than three million livestock to be culled. North Korea last week also confirmed an outbreak of the highly contagious animal disease.