Japan confirms bird flu, culling of over 92000 chickens begin

New Delhi : Local authorities in Japan started culling of over 92000 chickens after the highly pathogenic H5 strain of avian influenza was detected.

The bird flu was confirmed after a poultry farm in the city of Sanuki was found with chickens tested positive in genetic tests. The culling operation is likely to be completed in about 24 hours from now.

The farm also notified the government about the suspected bird flu case, revealing that at least 55 chickens were found dead in the poultry house.

In preliminary tests, three of 11 chickens tested positive. Genetic exams on the chickens began Wednesday, and authorities confirmed their results on Thursday.

All kind of outward movement from the poultry farm has been banned till the culling is completed.

The farm has stopped shipping chickens elsewhere and the prefectural government has cleaned the area with disinfectants.