AVIAN INFLUENZA (50): JAPAN (TOKYO) HPAI H5, WILD BIRD
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Source: China.org.cn (Xinhua) [edited]
http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2023-12/05/content_116859003.htm
A highly pathogenic avian influenza virus of the H5 subtype has been
detected in a wild bird found in central Tokyo, marking the first
instance of avian influenza infection in a wild bird during the
current avian flu season in the city, according to local authorities.
The body of a buzzard, or Buteo japonicus, was discovered in the
central Chiyoda Ward of Tokyo last Tuesday [28 Nov 2023], and the
preliminary test results conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan
Government were negative, according to the Tokyo Metropolitan
Environmental Bureau.
Subsequent genetic testing by the National Institute for Environmental
Studies, however, confirmed that the buzzard was indeed infected with
the highly pathogenic H5 subtype of avian influenza, information
released by the bureau on Monday [4 Dec 2023] showed.
Data from the Japanese Ministry of the Environment indicated that this
is the first time during the current avian influenza season that Tokyo
has detected a case of avian influenza infection in a wild bird.
Across Japan, more than 40 cases of wild birds infected with avian
influenza have been reported.
In response to the discovery, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has
designated a 10 km (6.21 mi) radius around the location where the dead
bird was found as a key monitoring area for wild birds. Poultry
farmers, parks, zoos, and other relevant entities within the
metropolitan area were also urged to heighten vigilance, strengthen
monitoring, and implement preventive measures.
Last week [week of 27 Nov 2023], the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry, and Fisheries reported 2 outbreaks of highly pathogenic
avian influenza in farms located in prefectures of Saitama and
Kagoshima, bringing the occurrences of avian influenza outbreaks on
poultry farms in Japan during the current influenza season to 4 in
total.