Hokkaido Flags Suspected Bird Flu at Yuni Poultry Farm, Imposes 10-Kilometer Controls

Overview

• A rapid on-site test returned positive after the farm reported an unusually high number of dead chickens on December 28.
• The prefecture restricted movement and shipment of about 17,000 birds at farms within a 10-kilometer radius.
• Genetic testing is pending to confirm highly pathogenic avian influenza at the Yuni Town facility.
• If confirmation is returned, approximately 6,300 laying hens at the farm will be culled under standard protocol.
• A confirmed result would be Japan’s 11th case this season, and Hokkaido scheduled a response headquarters meeting for December 29.