Highly pathogenic avian influenza, presumably H5N8 strain, has been diagnosed on a laying farm housing 32,000 hens near the town of Sukumo in Kochi Prefecture.  According to a report in the December 16th edition of The Japan Times, appropriate control measures have been implemented including depletion of the flock and surveillance over a six mile radius. 

Ten other prefectures have reported HPAI. The situation in Kagawa Prefecture has deteriorated with 12 cases to date.  Japan has an egg producing flock of 180 million hens and at any time houses approximately 140 million broilers.  Total flock depletions to date have amounted to two million birds with the infection disseminated by free-living waterfowl yet to be controlled.