August 23, 2005

Japan discovers another bird flu case in Ibaraki prefecture

Japan's government said a new bird flu case has surfaced at a farm in Ishioka, Ibaraki prefecture. Kyodo News agency said about 260,000 chickens would be culled.

The farm keeps 1.11 million chickens and 12 houses, according to the government.

It was also one of three farms that supplied chickens to the farm in Saitama prefecture, which was recently hit by bird flu.

The virus has been identified as to be of the H5 strain and was reportedly less virulent than the deadly H5N1 variety.

Tests were also carried out on chickens at two other Ibaraki farms and antibodies for the virus were found in them.

While some chicken and egg transportation would be permitted, movement would be restricted within a 5-kilometre radius around the three farms while further testing were carried out, the government said.