Japan Confirms First Outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu This Season

Tokyo — Authorities on Japan's Hokkaido Island have detected a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza in chickens at a poultry farm after several birds were found dead. This marks the first confirmed outbreak of the season in Japan.

Officials have begun culling around 19,000 chickens at the affected farm as a preventive measure, with the process expected to be completed by Friday (Oct. 18). Movement restrictions have also been implemented, banning the transportation of chickens and eggs within a 3-kilometer radius of the farm and the transportation of poultry products beyond a 10-kilometer radius.

The Hokkaido government has called for strict control measures to prevent further spread and reassured the public that poultry products currently in the market are safe for consumption.

In response to the outbreak, the Japanese government has established a coordination office at the Prime Minister's crisis management center and has started gathering information in collaboration with local authorities.

Source: Xinhua Thai