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Japan's avian epizootic continues with two more Prefectures (Wakayama & Oita) reporting farm outbreaks in the past 24 hours, bringing the nation's total since early November to 21 farms affected. More than 2 million birds have been culled, making this Japan's worst outbreak since at least 2016.
All of the outbreaks identified to date have been HPAI H5N8 - which while deadly to poultry - has never been linked to human infection or illness.
HPAI H5 returned to Japan, almost certainly via migratory birds, after nearly a 3 year hiatus. Not surprisingly South Korea is reporting a similar influx, as both nations lie beneath the East-Asian migratory flyway.
Two reports today from Japan's Ministry of Environment.
Confirmation of pseudo-patients with highly pathogenic avian influenza in Oita Prefecture (20th domestic poultry)On December 10, 2nd year of Reiwa, there was a report that a pseudo-patient with highly pathogenic avian influenza, which was the 20th case in domestic poultry, was confirmed at a meat chicken farm in Saiki City, Oita Prefecture. In response to this report, we will strengthen the monitoring of wild birds by designating the area within a radius of 10 km around the outbreak farm as a priority area for wild bird monitoring.1. 1. BackgroundWednesday, December 9th・ Oita Prefecture received a report that the number of dead chickens increased, requested the farm to refrain from moving, and conducted an on-site inspection of the farm.・ A simple influenza test was conducted on the chicken and the result was positive.12 May 10 (Thursday)・ As a result of genetic testing of the chicken, it was confirmed that it was a H5 subtype and was a pseudo-patient with highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Confirmation of pseudo-patients with highly pathogenic avian influenza in Wakayama Prefecture (21st domestic poultry case)
On December 10, 2nd year of Reiwa, there was a report that a pseudo-patient with highly pathogenic avian influenza, which was the 21st case in domestic poultry, was confirmed at an egg-laying chicken farm in Kinokawa City, Wakayama Prefecture. In response to this report, we will strengthen the monitoring of wild birds by designating the area within a radius of 10 km around the outbreak farm as a priority area for wild bird monitoring.1. 1. BackgroundWednesday, December 9th・ Wakayama Prefecture received a report from the farm that it had confirmed a breeding chicken showing abnormalities such as death, and requested the farm to refrain from moving and conducted an on-site inspection of the farm.・ A simple influenza test was conducted on the chicken and the result was positive.12 May 10 (Thursday)・ As a result of genetic testing of the chicken, it was confirmed that it was a H5 subtype and was a pseudo-patient with highly pathogenic avian influenza.
