The government has officially asked North Korea for detailed information on the outbreak of bird flu in Pyongyang.

The message was delivered over the phone via a liaison officer at the truce village of Panmunjom Tuesday.

The government made it clear that it will lend full support on the matter.

The Unification Ministry said the director of the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service called the commissioner of the North's State Emergency Veterinary Anti-Epidemic Committee.

The director urged Pyongyang to take necessary steps to prevent the spread of the disease into the South, and called for specific information on the epidemic to support the North more effectively.

The message also mentioned Seoul's decision to provide Pyongyang with any necessary aid, including medical technology, medical staff, medicine and equipment, to help the North fight the disease.