Overview
- A Kyodo News survey of 37 prefectures that carried out high-pathogenic avian influenza response work from fiscal 2020 to 2024 found staff in 20 sought consultations for mental or physical problems.
- Reported cases included employees taking leave and instances of bone fractures linked to culling and other biosecurity duties.
- The findings underscore exhaustion among frontline teams tasked with rapid culling and containment to prevent wider spread.
- The National Governors' Association has asked the central government to review the biosecurity-response system and expand its role to ease local burdens.
- Recent reports of cases this season, including in Hokkaido and Niigata, illustrate the continuing pressure on local authorities.