TOKYO, December 16 (Sputnik) – A highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza has been detected at a farm in the Miyazaki Prefecture on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, Kyodo news reported Tuesday.
The regional government has already begun slaughtering the entire 4,000 bird population of a farm in Nobeoka city after three out of five birds that died on Monday tested positive for H5 strain of the virus, Kyodo news reported. All necessary procedures are planned to be completed by Tuesday evening, according to the reports.
A quarantine zone has been established within one mile radius from the farm and the government has also imposed ban on the export of poultry from within a six mile radius of the outbreak. Roads in the affected areas are being disinfected.
The last outbreak of avian influenza in Miyazaki Prefecture took place some three years ago, and resulted in the culling of one million birds.
