Hokkaido Reports Second Bird Flu Case of the Season, Massive Culling Underway

On November 1st, more than 60 egg-laying chickens were found dead at the farm, and subsequent testing confirmed infection with the highly pathogenic strain of bird flu on November 2nd. This marks the second confirmed case of avian influenza in Japan this season, following one in Shiraoi Town in October. The Hokkaido prefectural government began culling approximately 236,000 chickens at around 2 p.m. to contain the outbreak. Governor Naomichi Suzuki urged thorough preventive measures, stating, "We ask everyone to ensure a complete system is in place to prevent any further spread." The number of chickens to be culled represents about 4% of all egg-laying hens in Hokkaido, underscoring the significant scale of the operation and its potential impact on the region’s poultry industry. Previously: Hokkaido Launches Mass Culling After Bird Flu Detected Source: 北海道ニュースUHB