About 160 chickens were found dead at a poultry farm in Saiki City, Oita Prefecture, and were suspected of being infected with bird flu.
If genetic testing confirms infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza, it will be the first time this season in the prefecture.
According to Oita Prefecture, around 10 am on the 16th, a poultry farm in Saiki City contacted us saying that the number of dead chickens had increased.
According to the prefecture, about 160 chickens died at this poultry farm, and when a simple bird flu test was conducted, positive reactions were confirmed from 6 out of 13 chickens.
The prefecture is currently proceeding with genetic testing, and the results are expected to be known on the morning of the 17th.
If this test confirms infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza, which has a high fatality rate, we will start culling approximately 13,000 chickens on this poultry farm.
In addition, a total of about 43,000 chickens from two nearby chicken farms operated by this farmer may be subject to disposal.
If infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza is confirmed, it will be the first time in Oita Prefecture this season and the first since 2020.