TANBA, Kyoto Pref. -- As the bell rings to end the day, students at Komono Junior High School file out.
Heading toward a shopping mall across the street, they pass by a cluster of television news crews, who stand outside the school decked out in white face masks.
Komono sits in the center of the town of Tanba. The road beside it, which leads to Asada Nosan Funai Farm a few kilometers beyond, is closed off as officials continue their investigation into the bird flu virus there, which came to light last week.