This is the latest news about 19th Bird Flu Outbreak in Japan. After a bird flu outbreak at a farm in the northern Iwate region was confirmed to be the 19th outbreak of the season, Japanese authorities started culling 50,000 chickens on Sunday.
The farm reported a rise in chicken deaths, prompting the agriculture ministry to declare the outbreak confirmed.
In response, the regional government of Iwate implemented precautionary measures for 3.8 million birds within 10 kilometers of the impacted site and limited the movement of 170,000 birds within a three-kilometer radius.
The most recent outbreak follows last Thursday’s attacks on farms in Iwate and Aichi, which led to the culling of 120,000 and 147,000 birds, respectively.
A farm in Ibaraki confirmed an outbreak and culled 1.08 million birds on December 29.
In order to contain the virus, Japan has been dealing with recurrent bird flu outbreaks, which have led to rigorous movement restrictions and mass culling.
US bird flu monitoring
Prior to the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, the departing administration of US President Joe Biden announced last week that $306 million would be allocated to strengthen the nation’s response to bird flu.
The funds will help with monitoring, research into possible medical countermeasures to the H5N1 virus, and preparation at the federal, state, and local levels.
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Although there is still little human risk, Health Secretary Xavier Becerra stressed that public health safety depends on readiness. “Preparedness is key to keeping Americans healthy and our country safe,” he said.
Although there have been 66 human bird flu cases reported in the United States since January 2024, experts think the true number may be higher, particularly among workers who handle cattle and poultry. Although there has been no evidence of human-to-human transmission, scientists are still worried that the virus might mix with seasonal flu strains to cause a more deadly and contagious pandemic.
Concerns about how the incoming Trump administration will handle the threat have prompted the funding. Although it’s unclear if he has the power to do so, Trump has stated that he would dismantle the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his choice for health secretary, has controversial public health beliefs and is an outspoken opponent of vaccines.
The Biden administration’s response to bird flu has also come under fire. Problems like inadequate vaccine stockpiling, inadequate surveillance, and lagging data were emphasized in a report published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
In the upcoming years, experts caution that avian influenza may develop into a pandemic or other serious health emergency. Meg Schaeffer, an infectious disease specialist, urged vigilance, particularly among people who drink raw milk, which may act as a virus vector.
So this was the latest news about 19th Bird Flu Outbreak in Japan. Stay connected with us for more.
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