December 21, 2020

Japan confirms more bird flu outbreaks in Tokushima and Miyazaki prefectures

Japan has confirmed more bird flu outbreaks at chicken farms in Tokushima and Miyazaki prefectures, west of the country, resulting in tens of thousands of chickens culled as the virus continues to spread, Kyodo News reported.

The H5 strain of bird flu was detected at farm in Awa, Tokushima for the first time, but it has yet to be confirmed if it is a highly pathogenic type of H5. 8,000 chickens were culled at the farm.

According to the local Tokushima government, there are 10 other farms within a 3 km radius of the affected farm raising 175,000 chickens. All the farms have been prohibited from moving eggs or chickens from their premises.

The Tokushima government also said there are 44 farms within a 10 km radius of the affected farm, raising 665,00 chickens.

Miyazaki prefecture reported its eighth bird flu case this year at farm in Miyazaki city, with 34,000 chickens to be culled.

- Kyodo News