Following the detection of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus from the carcasses of wild birds in Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture and Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture, the Ministry of the Environment raised the nationwide response level to "3" on the 7th, We are requesting prefectures to strengthen surveillance of wild birds.
According to the Ministry of the Environment, on the 25th of last month, a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus was detected in the carcass of a wild bird falcon in Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, followed by a wild bird found in Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture on the 4th of this month. The virus was also detected in the carcasses.
Since the outbreak was confirmed in multiple places in Japan, the Ministry of the Environment raised the nationwide response level for wild bird monitoring to "3", the highest of the three levels, on the 7th.
As a result, we are asking prefectures to strengthen surveillance of wild birds and surveys on the status of virus possession.
According to the Ministry of the Environment, the avian influenza virus does not seem to infect humans unless they have excessive contact with infected birds, but when touching bird excrement, wash hands and gargle, and do not dispose of wild bird carcasses. We are calling for you to contact the local government without touching it even if you find it.