April 8, 2009
Japan bans New York, Kentucky poultry on bird flu concerns
Japan has banned poultry imports from New York and Kentucky on bird flu concerns.
A preliminary test detected what is likely a low-pathogenic strain of bird flu at a live bird market in New York, a USDA official said Tuesday (Apr 7).
All the evidence so far suggests the bird flu strain found in the market is low-pathogenic, but it's too early to confirm that, USDA spokesman Ed Curlett said.
"Epidemiologically speaking, this looks like a typical low-path type virus," Curlett said. "We're doing testing and monitoring on a regular basis of those markets."
Japan has also banned poultry from Kentucky where testing has confirmed the presence of a low-pathogenic strain of bird flu.
About 20,000 chickens were culled at the affected Kentucky broiler breeding facility after the low-pathogenic H7N9 type of bird flu was confirmed during routine inspections, USDA spokeswoman Angela Harless said.
