December 18, 2020

Japan's bird flu outbreak spreads to 12th prefecture

Japan's bird flu outbreak, its worst on record, has spread to a 12th prefecture as officials in the country ordered more cullings, Reuters reported.

Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said 32,000 birds are set to be culled after bird flu was discovered at an egg farm in Sukumo city in Kochi prefecture, southwestern Japan. Kagawa prefecture also reported more infected birds in two farms there, with 30,000 birds to be culled there.

A record 3 million birds have culled in Japan to prevent the spread of the virus.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and Japanese officials said the bird flu outbreak in Japan and South Korea is one of two separate highly pathogenic bird flu outbreaks globally, with the other spreading in Europe. They said the virus is spread by wild birds.

Data from Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries showed the country has an egg-laying flock of about 185 million hens and a broiler population of 138 million.

Japanese farms have been ordered to disinfect facilities and review hygiene practises. They have also been told to ensure nets to keep out wild birds have been installed properly.

- Reuters