On the 19th, following the new detection of avian influenza virus in a poultry farm in Tokushima Prefecture, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries held a meeting of the countermeasures headquarters and thoroughly improved the hygiene management of the poultry farm in cooperation with each prefecture. I reconfirmed the policy to do so.
The avian influenza virus has been confirmed one after another at poultry farms in various places since last month, and was newly detected at poultry farms in Tokushima Prefecture on the 19th, which means that it has been confirmed in 12 prefectures.
At a meeting of the Countermeasures Headquarters held at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on the 19th, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Nogami mentioned that as a result of inspecting poultry farms nationwide, about 10% did not comply with national hygiene management standards. He said, "If there is even one item that is not adhered to, it will allow the virus to invade the farm. I would like to ask for appropriate guidance and advice with a sense of speed in the prefectures."
After that, he said, "We will continue to follow up until improvements are achieved on all farms," and at the meeting, we reaffirmed our policy of thoroughly improving hygiene management in collaboration with prefectures.