Kyoto, Nov. 11 (Jiji Press)–The Kyoto prefectural government said Wednesday that a suspected case of infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected at a poultry farm in the city of Kameoka in the western Japan prefecture. If confirmed, it would be the first avian flu case at a poultry farm in Japan this season. The prefectural government said that a local livestock hygiene service center received a report from the poultry farm earlier in the day that the number of dead chickens had increased. If a genetic test comes back positive, all about 200,000 chickens at the farm will be culled. The results are expected to be available Thursday morning. At a meeting of the prefectural government’s response headquarters, Kyoto Governor Takatoshi Nishiwaki instructed officials to make thorough preparations for disease control measures to prevent the possible spread of the virus to other farms and to ensure that accurate information is provided to local residents. “We will make every effort to complete disease control measures as quickly as possible if the case tests positive,” the governor told reporters. In an online meeting with Nishiwaki, Hiroo Kotera, state minister of agriculture, said, “We will do our best to support the prefecture’s disease control measures.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Wednesday instructed the agriculture ministry and other relevant ministries to work closely together to swiftly implement thorough disease control measures in response to the suspected bird flu case at the poultry farm in Kyoto. Takaichi also instructed officials to provide accurate information to the public, urge poultry farmers to remain on high alert and offer them guidance and support on preventive measures. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
