Bird flu slaughtered nationwide 9.35 million birds Most expected Nearly half are in Chiba prefecture

In the past month and a half, eight cases of bird flu have occurred in Chiba prefecture, and the number of birds disposed of has reached 4 million.

The number of chickens slaughtered nationwide is already the highest for one season, and it was found that the number of chickens slaughtered in Chiba Prefecture is an unusual situation, accounting for nearly half of the total.

Since November last year, bird flu has occurred in 46 poultry farms and duck farms in 17 prefectures nationwide, of which 8 cases in Chiba prefecture within a month and a half since the end of December last year, at an unprecedented pace. Outbreaks are occurring one after another.

In particular, during the five days from the 4th to the 8th of this month, four cases were concentrated in the three cities and towns of Sosa City, Asahi City, and Tako Town in the northeastern part of the prefecture where poultry farming is popular.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 9.35 million birds are expected to be slaughtered, which is the largest number in one season in Japan, but 4.28 million birds are slaughtered in Chiba prefecture, accounting for about 45% or nearly half of the total. I found out.

In addition, more than one-third of all chickens for egg collection will be slaughtered.

According to the national guidelines, it is a rule to complete epidemic prevention measures such as culling within 24 hours and burying within 72 hours after the detection of bird flu is confirmed, but large-scale outbreaks occurred one after another in Chiba prefecture. The epidemic prevention measures for the poultry farm in Isumi City, which first occurred due to the impact, have not yet been completed.

For this reason, it takes time to secure materials and equipment, and there is a shortage of veterinarians to deal with it, so Chiba Prefecture is requesting the government to provide support in terms of human resources.

Vehicle disinfection around the poultry farm

In response to the outbreak of bird flu at poultry farms in the prefecture, Chiba Prefecture is still disinfecting vehicles entering and exiting at seven locations around the poultry farms where outbreaks have been confirmed, 24 hours a day. I am.

Of these, at the poultry farm in Tako Town, where the "H5 type" bird flu virus was detected on the 7th, about 1.15 million birds, which is the largest in the prefecture, are being slaughtered, but in the parking lot of the town facility. A new disinfection area was set up, and workers wearing protective clothing were disinfecting.

Workers sprayed disinfectant on the tires and bottoms of cars that came to disinfect, and wiped the accelerator and brakes in the driver's seat with a cloth.

A 38-year-old office worker who visited a poultry farm for disinfection and wholesales medicines for livestock said, "For some time, there have been increasing talks from business partners that they want more lime for disinfection. The number of disinfection sites is increasing, so we are taking more measures than ever before. "

According to Chiba Prefecture, the outbreaks are occurring one after another in the prefecture, so it took time to bring in and prepare the equipment at the poultry farm in Tako Town, and the slaughter started around 6 pm on the 7th, which was later than originally planned. ..

As of 3:00 pm on the 8th, about 97,000 feathers, which is about 8%, have been disposed of.

Egg prices higher than last month

According to JA Zenno Tamago, the market price, which is an index of the egg transaction price in the Kanto region, is 165 yen per kilo on the 8th, which is 45 yen higher than the beginning of last month.

A person in charge of a chicken egg wholesaler said, "The issuance of a state of emergency for the new coronavirus has reduced the number of eggs shipped to restaurants and the demand has been restrained, but the supply and demand balance has been balanced due to the outbreak of bird flu. It's changing. The impact of the slaughter of a considerable number of eggs in Chiba prefecture, where the chicken egg industry is thriving, is great. It will not be difficult for eggs to reach ordinary households, but the sale of eggs at supermarkets Opportunities may be reduced. "

Expert "Don't let go until April"

Professor Yoshihiro Sakoda of Hokkaido University, who is familiar with bird flu, said about the current outbreak situation in the prefecture, "It is not possible to identify the cause such as whether it was carried by wild birds, but the concentration of the virus in the surrounding environment of the poultry farm in Chiba prefecture is high. It can be said that the virus has become extremely high. The virus raged in Europe just about a year ago, and has since been passed down to South Korea and Japan via Siberia by migratory birds, and has strong transmission power. It is in a state of fighting a formidable opponent. Many birds move in Japan during this period, and it may occur not only in Chiba but also anywhere in the future. Until March or April, I feel sick. No, "he points out.

Also, for poultry farmers, "I think that hygiene measures are taken firmly, but I would like you to check once again whether basic measures such as bird nets and disinfection are thoroughly implemented. On the premises of the poultry farm It may be difficult not to bring the virus to everyone, but I want the poultry farm to be protected. "

Furthermore, to general consumers, "I want you to eat eggs and meat lined up in supermarkets with peace of mind. On the other hand, if you find a dead wild bird, it can be valuable information, so contact the local government etc. I want you to do it. "

On the other hand, regarding the fact that epidemic prevention measures have been delayed in the prefecture due to a series of large-scale poultry farms, "In Chiba, which has a large consumption area called Tokyo, the number of large-scale poultry farms that emphasize production efficiency has increased. Once it occurs, it will be very difficult to deal with it and it will take time to contain it. During the summer until the next bird flu season, we will consider new countermeasures based on the lessons learned from this season. We need to go. "