January 12, 2007

Bird flu suspected at poultry farm in western Japan

Japan's agriculture ministry has received reports of a suspected outbreak of bird flu at a poultry farm in western Japan, a news report said late Thursday (Jan 11).

The outbreak is suspected at a poultry farm in the western Miyazaki prefecture, Kyodo News agency reported, citing ministry sources.

Miyazaki prefecture authorities are investigating, Kyodo said.

The suspected outbreak has been found at a poultry farm in the town of Kiyodake in western Miyazaki prefecture, prefectural official Toyonari Nukumizu said.

The prefecture has reported the suspected outbreak to the agriculture ministry and has begun tests to determine whether an outbreak has actually occurred, Nukumizu said.

The results of the tests--including what strain of the virus is present if bird flu is indeed confirmed to be involved--won't be known until Friday evening, he added.

Miyazaki is about 893 kilometres (558 miles) southwest of Tokyo.