Overview
- Kyodo News found that 20 of 37 prefectures engaged in avian influenza control since 2020 received staff consultations over mental or physical problems, including sick leave and fractures.
- The National Governors' Association has formally requested a review of the response framework with a stronger central government role.
- Last season’s outbreaks led to the culling of more than 9 million birds nationwide, and egg prices reached a record high for October this year.
- New suspected and confirmed cases have been reported this season in Hokkaido and Niigata, prompting producers to tighten biosecurity measures such as spreading quicklime around poultry houses.
- Producers in the Tokai region are still recovering, with Aichi’s 13 farms culling a total of about 1.86 million birds last season and one operator losing all 17,000 hens.