Japan Raises Bird Flu Surveillance to Highest Level

Tokyo — Japan's Ministry of the Environment has raised the country's bird flu surveillance to the highest level after detecting a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza in wild birds in Hokkaido, northern Japan.

The heightened alert follows the discovery of bird flu in two samples from Hokkaido: one from a hawk carcass in Otobe on September 30 and another from wild duck droppings in Betsukai on October 8.

Authorities are urging stricter nationwide monitoring of wild birds. The ministry noted that while bird flu does not pose a significant threat to humans unless there is excessive contact with infected birds, the public is advised to avoid handling bird carcasses and to report any sightings of dead birds to local authorities.

Japan has detected avian influenza in several regions, prompting the ministry to elevate its nationwide alert to Level 3, the highest, signaling the need for intensified inspection and investigation of the virus's spread.

Source: www.xinhuathai