AVIAN INFLUENZA (23): JAPAN (AICHI, CHIBA) HPAI, POULTRY, CULL, SPREAD
A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Mon 20 Jan 2025
Source: The Japan Times [edited]
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/01/20/japan/science-health/japan-avian-flu-cases-found/
The Aichi Prefectural Government said Sunday [19 Jan 2025] that
outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been confirmed at
3 chicken farms and a quail farm in the prefecture. Two of the 3
chicken farms are in the city of Handa and the other in the city of
Tokoname. The quail farm is located in the town of Agui. The city of
Tokoname has already been seeing an outbreak of bird flu cases since
the beginning of the year [2025], and roughly 680 000 birds have been
culled so far.
The prefectural government of Chiba the same day [19 Jan 2025]
announced bird flu cases at 3 chicken farms in the cities of Choshi
and Asahi. A total of about 1.44 million birds at the 7 farms and
related facilities will be destroyed. The number of bird flu cases
confirmed at chicken and other farms in the country this season rose
to 39.
According to the Aichi government, the 4 farms in the prefecture
reported the deaths of many chickens and quails to local livestock
hygiene centers Saturday morning [18 Jan 2025]. Rapid tests showed
positive results, and infections were confirmed in subsequent genetic
tests.
The 3 farms in Chiba reported the deaths of chickens to local
authorities Saturday [18 Jan 2025]. Rapid and genetic tests confirmed
infections later. On Sunday [19 Jan 2025], the agriculture ministry
held a meeting of its bird-flu-related task force and decided to set
up a response headquarters in the 2 prefectures.
The ministry is poised to support the Aichi and Chiba governments’
measures to prevent infections from spreading. At the headquarters
meeting, agriculture minister Taku Eto called for unified efforts to
tackle the outbreaks and protect poultry farming in the 2
prefectures.