In Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, it has been decided that 19,000 chickens will be culled following the detection of bird flu cases at a poultry farm.
According to reports by the state broadcaster NHK, an increase in chicken deaths was observed at a poultry farm in the Atsuma region of the prefecture. Genetic tests conducted by veterinarians from the Hokkaido Prefectural Government at the farm confirmed that "the chickens were infected with the highly contagious H5 strain of the virus."
It was decided that approximately 19,000 chickens at the farm would be culled. This case has been recorded as the first bird flu case of the season nationwide.
"MEASURES MUST BE TAKEN RAPIDLY"
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated in his announcement that instructions had been given to take all necessary measures against the spread of bird flu. Hayashi said, "We need to make joint efforts, including the rapid implementation of appropriate infection control measures."
In line with the instructions, provincial authorities have restricted the movement of approximately 710,000 chickens across 5 farms within a 10-kilometer radius of the farm where the outbreak occurred.
According to the national press, the first bird flu case of the season in Japan last year was detected in Saga prefecture on November 25. As the outbreak spread to 28 prefectures across the country, a total of 156 bird flu cases were confirmed in different regions.
News Source: 12punto
