HOKKAIDO, Nov 03 (News On Japan) –
An outbreak of extremely pathogenic avian influenza has been confirmed at a poultry farm in Eniwa City, Hokkaido, prompting authorities to start culling operations on Sunday afternoon.
On November 1st, greater than 60 egg-laying chickens had been discovered lifeless on the farm, and subsequent testing confirmed an infection with the extremely pathogenic pressure of chicken flu on November 2nd. This marks the second confirmed case of avian influenza in Japan this season, following one in Shiraoi Town in October.
The Hokkaido prefectural authorities started culling roughly 236,000 chickens at round 2 p.m. to comprise the outbreak. Governor Naomichi Suzuki urged thorough preventive measures, stating, “We ask everyone to ensure a complete system is in place to prevent any further spread.”
The variety of chickens to be culled represents about 4% of all egg-laying hens in Hokkaido, underscoring the numerous scale of the operation and its potential impression on the area’s poultry trade.
Previously: Hokkaido Launches Mass Culling After Bird Flu Detected
Source: 北海道ニュースUHB