The figure became the highest in history and is the concern to both the government and poultry farmers because of its severe economic and health implications for the sector.

MAFF head Tetsuro Nomura chaired a meeting of the emergency working group recently formed to address the crisis, during which he emphasized the importance of taking necessary measures and ensuring full coordination between authorities at all levels.

Experts have pointed out that the concentration of the virus in the environment is extremely high, so we need a strong sense of urgency,’ he stressed.

The conference participants called on national producers to carry out exhaustive controls, as well as to disinfect and repair facilities, in order to prevent wild birds carrying the highly pathogenic virus from entering poultry farms.

The spread of H5 influenza, which has spread to 23 prefectures at an unprecedented rate, began in late October in farms in Okayama and Hokkaido.

Due to the large scale of the process, the Self-Defense Forces are involved in the implementation of chicken and other containment measures at the request of local governments.

ef/arm/jf/lcp.