330,000 chickens to be culled in Japan over new bird flu outbreak

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 Mar 2023 11:23
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Quarantine for the transportation of chickens and eggs was introduced within a radius of a 3-kilometer zone surrounding the farm.

Genetic analysis showed the presence of the highly pathogenic N5 strain. (AFP)

Local administration stated on Friday that around 330,000 chickens will be culled in Japan's Aomori Prefecture following a new outbreak of bird flu.

"On March 23, the relevant structures received a message about an increase in the number of dead birds on one of the farms. After testing for the presence of the bird flu virus, the results of 11 out of 13 birds were positive," the administration said in a statement.

Quarantine for the transportation of chickens and eggs was introduced within a radius of a 3-kilometer zone surrounding the farm. Authorities will also disinfect the farm and its equipment.

This marks the third outbreak of bird flu in Aomori Prefecture this season alone.

Over 15 million chickens have been culled in Japan this season due to previous outbreaks; this is considered an all-time high for the country.

Bird flu has been detected in 2 out of 47 prefectures in Japan since October 28. Despite the fact that chicken egg prices are already higher due to inflation, the virus caused prices to go up even more.

Bird flu is a highly contagious virus that can cause the death of birds. Back in the fall of 2020 until the spring of 2021, Japan suffered its largest-ever avian influenza outbreak.

The virus affected more than a third of Japan's prefectures and almost 10 million chickens were culled in more than 50 farms.