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Rachel V Thomas

Japan Confirms New Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu Outbreak: Report

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Japan has confirmed an outbreak of HPAI (Highly Pathogenic <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/avian-influenza">Avian Influenza</a>) at a poultry farm, media reports said.

The avian flu, confirmed in Hokkaido in the northern prefecture, marks the fourth case and the country's 21st outbreak this season, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in a statement, said that the affected farm is located in the town of Abira, and keeps about 190,000 chickens. 

The farm notified local health officials earlier this week, who rapidly followed up with a rapid avian influenza test. 

The positive result was confirmed by genetic testing the following day.

“All chickens at the farm will be culled, incinerated, and buried to prevent further spread of the virus,” the authorities said.

Previously, the HPAI outbreak at a poultry farm in Iwate prefecture was reported in February.

Jiji Press reported that the outbreak in the town of Kanegasaki led to the culling of about 560,000 egg-laying hens at the affected farm.

The bird flu season in Japan typically runs from autumn until the following spring.

<h2>What Is HPAI? Global HPAI situation </h2>

HPAI is a classification for bird-flu viruses that cause severe disease and high mortality in poultry, and also spreads rapidly.

The influenza A H5N1 virus is one of the most common viruses that cause HPAI.

<ul><li>Influenza A H5N8 virus</li><li>Influenza A H5N6 virus</li><li>Influenza A H7N9 virus</li></ul>

Outbreaks of HPAI, especially H5N1, continue in wild birds and poultry worldwide, with active disease zones being reported.

<ul><li>India</li></ul>Bird flu (H5N1) cases have surged in India since February. Cases of over 1,500 crows dying in Chennai and outbreaks have been reported in poultry across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Bihar.

While authorities are culling birds, no human cases have been reported.

<ul><li>South Korea</li></ul>South Korea has reported 51 cases this season. Yonhap News Agency reported that authorities have restricted access to the affected farms, have begun culling the birds and have also launched an epidemiological investigation.

<ul><li>United States</li></ul>HPAI remains widespread in US poultry, with over 70,000 birds affected early in 2026 and ongoing detections in multiple states.

Recent detections include the first confirmed HPAI infections in marine mammals (northern elephant seals) in California -- the first such reported cases in 2026.

<ul><li>Other regions </li></ul>Outbreaks have been reported from Argentina's with hundreds of cases and deaths in poultry farms related to HPAI early in 2026.

Suspected HPAI cases have triggered poultry culls and control measures in the UK and Northern Ireland. 

Europe reported multiple outbreaks on commercial poultry farms.

According to the World Health Organization, there have been about 994 confirmed human infections reported worldwide since 2003.

This virus does not appear to transmit easily from person to person, and sustained human-to-human transmission has not been reported.

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Japan has confirmed an outbreak of HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) at a poultry farm, media reports said. The avian flu, confirmed in Hokkaido in the northern prefecture, marks the fourth case and the country's 21st outbreak this season, Xinhua news agency reported. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in a statement, said that the affected farm is located in the town of Abira, and keeps about 190,000 chickens. The farm notified local health officials earlier this week, who rapidly followed up with a rapid avian influenza test. The positive result was confirmed by genetic testing the following day. “All chickens at the farm will be culled, incinerated, and buried to prevent further spread of the virus,” the authorities said. Previously, the HPAI outbreak at a poultry farm in Iwate prefecture was reported in February. Jiji Press reported that the outbreak in the town of Kanegasaki led to the culling of about 560,000 egg-laying hens at the affected farm. The bird flu season in Japan typically runs from autumn until the following spring. What Is HPAI? Global HPAI situation HPAI is a classification for bird-flu viruses that cause severe disease and high mortality in poultry, and also spreads rapidly.The influenza A H5N1 virus is one of the most common viruses that cause HPAI.Others include Influenza A H5N8 virusInfluenza A H5N6 virusInfluenza A H7N9 virusOutbreaks of HPAI, especially H5N1, continue in wild birds and poultry worldwide, with active disease zones being reported. IndiaBird flu (H5N1) cases have surged in India since February. Cases of over 1,500 crows dying in Chennai and outbreaks have been reported in poultry across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Bihar. While authorities are culling birds, no human cases have been reported.South KoreaSouth Korea has reported 51 cases this season. Yonhap News Agency reported that authorities have restricted access to the affected farms, have begun culling the birds and have also launched an epidemiological investigation. United StatesHPAI remains widespread in US poultry, with over 70,000 birds affected early in 2026 and ongoing detections in multiple states. Recent detections include the first confirmed HPAI infections in marine mammals (northern elephant seals) in California -- the first such reported cases in 2026. Other regions Outbreaks have been reported from Argentina's with hundreds of cases and deaths in poultry farms related to HPAI early in 2026. Suspected HPAI cases have triggered poultry culls and control measures in the UK and Northern Ireland. Europe reported multiple outbreaks on commercial poultry farms.Human Cases According to the World Health Organization, there have been about 994 confirmed human infections reported worldwide since 2003. This virus does not appear to transmit easily from person to person, and sustained human-to-human transmission has not been reported.