Japan’s agriculture ministry announced the confirmation of a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak at a farm in Kyoto Prefecture. The affected farm, located in Kameoka City, houses around 280,000 egg-laying chickens. Following genetic testing, the presence of the avian influenza virus was verified.
In response to the outbreak, all chickens at the affected farm will be culled, incinerated, and buried as per guidelines. Movement restrictions have been imposed, with farms within a 3-kilometre radius prohibited from transporting chickens and eggs. Further preventive measures, including enhanced disinfection and an epidemiological investigation, are underway to contain the spread of the virus.
Japan’s avian influenza season typically spans from autumn to spring. With this being the ninth outbreak this season, nearly 2.4 million chickens have already been culled due to previous incidents. The first case in Japan was reported in Hokkaido on October 22, marking the beginning of a series of outbreaks across the country.
