Avian flu outbreak in Japan, 330,000 chickens and ducks culled
The virus was found on farms in two prefectures, but other cases might still be discovered elsewhere. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe immediately gave orders to implement health provisions as required in such circumstances.
Tokyo (AsiaNews/Agencies) – More than 330,000 chickens and ducks have been culled in Japan, following the discovery of a number of avian flu cases.
Japanese authorities announced today that they found the virus on two farms in different prefectures; however, they did not confirm whether it was the H5N6 strain or the less dangerous H5N8 strain.
Still, they decided to cull between 310,000 and 320,000 chickens on a farm in Niigata Prefecture and 16,500 ducks on another in Aomori.
At a press conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga did not rule out other cases in other areas.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe immediately gave orders to implement health provisions as required in such circumstances.
Farmers were ordered not to move any birds should they find suspicious deaths on their farm.
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