Japan grappling with avian flu outbreak

By Necva Tastan

ISTANBUL (AA) – Japan is grappling with the season's first cases of avian influenza.

The country's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries said fresh cases were found in southern Japan's Saga's Kashima city on Monday, and all 72,000 birds at the farm will be culled.

Preventive actions were taken, including establishing a restricted movement zone within a 3-kilometer (1.9-mile) radius, the ministry said.

The statement stressed that there is no risk of human infection with the avian influenza virus by consuming chicken meat or eggs.

Over the weekend, Japan culled 40,000 birds, and transport of poultry and egg products within a 10-kilometer radius of the outbreak's center from the affected farm was restricted.

The bird flu season in Japan typically starts in October every year.