40,000 birds to be culled as Japan confirms season’s first bird flu
40,000 birds to be culled as Japan confirms season's bird flu (representational image)
By: Pune Pulse
November 25, 2023
Pune: The first case of the highly pathogenic H5-type bird was discovered at a poultry farm in Saga City in Japan this season.
As per information, on the farm, the local government plans to cull about 40,000 birds.
To discuss steps to stop the virus from spreading, a meeting will be held between relevant cabinet ministers and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Genetic testing carried out following the discovery of several dead poultry birds at the farm on Friday led to the discovery of the virus.
In recent years, highly pathogenic avian influenza has spread globally, forcing hundreds of millions of birds to be culled.
Authorities in Japan are on high alert after a record 17.7 million poultry birds were killed during the previous season.
A severe scarcity of eggs ensued, leading to a sharp increase in the average standard price of midsize eggs in the Tokyo region, which reached an all-time high of 350 Yens per kilogram in April and May of this year.
Shreyas Vange
