The Hokkaido government on Wednesday reported the first case of bird flu in the country this season following the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza at a poultry farm in the town of Shiraoi.
The Hokkaido government has started to kill and dispose of some 459,000 laying hens at the farm while placing a ban on the transportation of 620,000 hens at four other poultry farms within a 10-kilometer radius.
The central government convened a meeting of related ministers in Tokyo on Wednesday morning to ensure close cooperation among agencies in dealing with the situation.
"This is the sixth consecutive season of an outbreak. Every season, (the disease) goes into full swing from around this time," Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said, emphasizing the need for vigilance.
Ahead of the meeting, agriculture minister Norikazu Suzuki told his ministry's disease control headquarters, "We're in a situation in which further infection cases may happen anywhere in the country."
"We ask that all possible measures be taken to prevent further cases from occurring or spreading," he said.
According to the Hokkaido government, the hens subjected to the culling account for some 8% of laying hens raised in region. The local government also held a task force meeting at its head office.
Before the meeting, Hokkaido Gov. Naomichi Suzuki had a telephone conversation with the agriculture minister. "We confirmed that we'll work together closely," the governor said.
About 120 people, including Hokkaido officials and private company staff, will be involved in the work to cull the chickens at the farm in question and in cleaning and disinfecting operations. Infection-control measures, including restrictions imposed within the 10-km radius, are expected to end in late November.
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