Chickens at bird flu-hit farm destroyed

Officials in Shimane Prefecture, western Japan, have begun destroying some 23,000 chickens at a poultry farm that's been hit by bird flu.

The highly virulent H5 strain of the avian flu virus was detected in 5 chickens that were found dead at the farm in Yasugi city on Monday.

On Tuesday, dozens of officials in protective gear arrived at the farm to destroy all its chickens.
In addition, movement of chickens and eggs has been restricted at 4 other poultry farms within 10 kilometers of the site.

Officials say no other suspected cases of bird flu have been reported in Shimane or in neighboring Tottori Prefecture.

The Environment Ministry has begun an emergency survey of areas around the infected farm to see if there are any dead wild birds. No abnormalities have been reported so far.

The ministry has also decided to postpone the transfer of 4 Japanese crested ibises to Izumo city, in Shimane Prefecture, from Sado Island, in Niigata Prefecture, that had been planned for Friday this week.

The transfer is part of a scheme to breed the endangered birds at different locations to lower the risk of decimation from disease.
Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:33:00 +0900(JST)
(JST: UTC+9hrs.)