Japan to cull about 100,000 chickens following new bird flu outbreak

About 100,000 chickens will be culled in Japan due to a new outbreak of bird flu, registered in Miyazaki Prefecture on Tuesday, the Agriculture Ministry said, Report informs, citing foreign media sources.

The disease was suspected on Monday when egg farm employees in the city of Kawaminami found dead laying hens. Further genetic analysis has confirmed the presence of a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza.

The authorities imposed a ban on the transportation of chickens and eggs within a 3-kilometre (1.8-mile) radius around the outbreak hot spots as well as prohibited the export of chickens and eggs outside a 10-kilometre radius.