Predictably following isolation of H5N1 virus from migratory birds in Japan, outbreaks of HPAI have occurred in commercial farms.  On October 23^rd an outbreak was reported on a poultry farm in Chiba Prefecture.  This was followed on October 31^st by a subsequent but unrelated case in Shimane Prefecture involving a flock of 400,000 laying hens.  Appropriate depopulation and decontamination are in progress and quarantine zones have been established around the affected farms in accordance with WOAH guidelines.

In past seasons when flock depletion to “control” HPAI attained a noteworthy proportion of the national flock, Japan was obliged to increase importation of egg liquids  and shell eggs as breaking stock to satisfy domestic demand