In response to the record high number of bird flu outbreaks, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' expert committee has taken measures such as disinfecting and inspecting and repairing holes that animals can enter in hard-to-reach places. I issued an urgent proposal calling for thorough implementation of
This season, avian influenza outbreaks have occurred at 70 poultry farms in 25 roads from Hokkaido to Okinawa Prefecture and 70 poultry farms in the prefecture. .
A committee of experts was held at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on the 31st, and there were cases where hand disinfection and shoe replacement were insufficient at poultry farms where avian influenza broke out, and wild birds were killed through broken wire mesh and vents. and cases of possible intrusion by small animals have been reported.
In response to this, the committee made an urgent recommendation, especially when there are facilities shared by multiple farms, to thoroughly disinfect when entering and exiting, and to place wild birds in hard-to-reach places such as roofs and ceilings. I requested that there be any holes through which small animals could enter and be repaired.
The proposal states that migratory birds, which are believed to carry the virus, will head northward, and that Hokkaido and Tohoku will need to be especially vigilant.
Professor Takeshi Yamaguchi of Tottori University, who serves as chairman of the committee, said, "Looking at the infection situation in wild birds, it is possible that the outbreak will be prolonged until around May or June. Producers should not overlook countermeasures. I want you to check it once," he said.
happening at an unprecedented pace
Bird flu is said to be brought in by migratory birds wintering in Japan, and usually occurs from autumn to spring. After being confirmed by , outbreaks are occurring one after another at an unprecedented pace.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, by January 31, 25 roads and 70 prefectures were confirmed at poultry farms, which is the highest number ever.
This season, it has been confirmed in six prefectures, including Yamagata and Okinawa, where no outbreaks have occurred so far, and the risk of outbreaks anywhere in the country is increasing.
Outbreaks at large-scale poultry farms are also occurring one after another, and in December last year, about 1.39 million chickens, the highest number ever, were disposed of at a poultry farm in Misawa City, Aomori Prefecture.
The total number of chickens and other animals to be disposed of is approximately 12.35 million, exceeding the approximately 9.87 million recorded in the fall of 2020 and spring of 2021 seasons, the highest number ever.