January 3, 2023

Record number of avian flu cases in Japan

Japan has seen a record number of avian flu cases this season, with the 53rd confirmed at a poultry farm in Asahi City in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo.

Local authorities said on January 3 that they identified the highly contagious bird flu virus after responding to a report of 30 chickens found dead at the farm the previous day. They will cull around 10,000 chickens at the farm, and have banned the transport of chickens and eggs within a three-kilometer radius. They have also restricted shipments within a 10-kilometer radius.

The agriculture ministry said the number of bird flu cases this season has surpassed the previous record in the winter of 2020-2021.

Chiba Governor Kumagai Toshihito said that further outbreaks must be prevented to minimise the impact on the local poultry and livestock industry.

- NHK WORLD-JAPAN