June 28, 2005

Japan takes action following latest bird flu case

The Japanese government recently began culling chickens at the farm in Ibaraki prefecture where the latest outbreak of bird flu surfaced. About 25,000 chickens were expected to be culled.

The infected farm and all others within a five-kilometre radius were banned from shipping any birds or eggs until it was confirmed the infections were contained. They were also ordered to sterilise their facilities.

Even though the H5N2 viral strain was not considered dangerous to humans, the government wanted to contain it as soon as possible to ensure that it did not spread and become a public concern.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's government has stated that the poultry import ban on Japan since January last year would remain in place.

In Vietnam, the government recently signed a decision stipulating that farmers would get VND 15,000 for each culled chicken, while participants in the bird flu prevention work would receive VND3,000 for every chicken they killed during and after an epidemic.