January 11, 2018

Japan hit by possible, first bird flu case in poultry this winter
 

Japan could potentially be hit by its first bird flu case in poultry this winter after the agriculture ministry reported a possible occurrence in Kagawa prefecture, western Japan, on January 10, Reuters reported.

According to the ministry, a preliminary examination revealed that chickens at a farm in the area of Sanuki city were tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza. Confirmation of the results may lead to a government-ordered extermination of all 100,000 chickens at the site.

The farm has previously informed local authorities of a suspected bird flu outbreak, claiming that 55 chickens had died.

Japan's last outbreak of bird flu occurred in March. Between November 2016 and March 2017, 1.67 million chickens were culled due to the H5N6 strain of bird flu.

-- Reuters