Japan is reporting a record surge in the culling of poultry due to bird flu, with the total number of sacrificed birds reaching 10 million since last October. The figure comes from the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, which released the latest update on Monday and highlights how the outbreak has intensified across the country. The government has moved quickly to contain the disease by removing affected flocks, aiming to protect remaining poultry and minimize economic losses across the farming sector [Source: Ministry of Agriculture].
Following the governorship actions, the culling tally has continued to rise, now approaching 9.98 million birds nationwide. In Ibaraki, a province northeast of Tokyo, authorities announced the slaughter of about 930,000 chickens at a farm after tests confirmed the presence of the virus. In Shirosato, the same precautionary approach was adopted as soon as testing indicated infection. The scale of activity underscores the seriousness with which authorities pursue containment, even as the industry faces disruption and farmers brace for further measures [Source: Ministry of Agriculture].
Comparisons show this season’s record surpasses earlier totals. The ministry’s data indicate that during the period from November 2020 to March 2021, approximately 9.87 million birds were culled. This year’s outbreak, however, has already eclipsed that count by a wide margin, reflecting an unusual level of transmission and the aggressive response required to curb spread across multiple prefectures [Source: Ministry of Agriculture].
As of this Monday, 56 infection sources have been identified across 23 of Japan’s 47 prefectures. The first cases appeared in western Japan, marking a broader regional spread that has prompted swift action from authorities and heightened surveillance across commercial farms and local production facilities [Source: Ministry of Agriculture].
The initial major wave of the season began last November when officials ordered the slaughter of about one million chickens from various farms in central regions, including Ibaraki. The decision reflected the aggressive measures taken to prevent further outbreaks and protect supply chains for poultry products across the country. Among the recognized outbreaks this season, there has also been the sacrifice of around 430 ostriches in Fukuoka, located in the south, with authorities attributing the event to migratory bird activity that increased risk for farm operations [Source: Ministry of Agriculture].