Food

Hokkaido Launches Mass Culling After Bird Flu Detected

HOKKAIDO, Oct 22 (News On Japan) - Authorities in Shiraoi, Hokkaido, have begun culling approximately 460,000 laying hens after a poultry farm in the region’s Iburi area confirmed infections of highly pathogenic avian influenza, marking the first confirmed outbreak of the season in Japan.

A convoy of three buses carrying workers in white protective suits entered the premises on the morning of October 22nd to begin the culling operation, according to local reports. The infections were detected after 46 chickens were found dead on October 21st, and subsequent tests confirmed the presence of the virus early the following day.

The Hokkaido government said that the affected chickens account for roughly 8 percent of the prefecture’s total egg-laying population. While the large-scale culling is expected to impact the local poultry industry, officials emphasized that both eggs and chicken meat currently available on the market remain safe to consume and that the supply chain remains stable. The government urged consumers to remain calm and avoid panic buying.

Source: 北海道ニュースUHB

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