19th bird flu outbreak: Japan culls 50,000 chickens

Japanese authorities began culling 50,000 chickens on Sunday following the confirmation of a bird flu outbreak at a farm in the northern Iwate region, marking the 19th outbreak of the season.

The agriculture ministry said the outbreak was confirmed after the farm reported increasing deaths among its chickens.

In response, Iwate’s regional government restricted the movement of 170,000 birds within a three-kilometre radius and imposed precautionary measures on 3.8 million birds within 10 kilometres of the affected site.

The latest outbreak comes after farms in Iwate and Aichi were hit last Thursday, resulting in the culling of 120,000 and 147,000 birds respectively.

On December 29, a farm in Ibaraki culled 1.08 million birds after confirming an outbreak.

Japan has been battling recurring bird flu outbreaks, prompting mass culling and strict movement bans to contain the virus.

Bird flu monitpring in US 

Last week, US President Joe Biden's outgoing administration announced a $306 million funding allocation to enhance the country's response to bird flu before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

The funding will support national, state, and local preparedness, monitoring, and research into potential medical countermeasures for the H5N1 virus.

Health Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized that while the human risk remains low, preparedness is crucial for public health safety. "Preparedness is key to keeping Americans healthy and our country safe," he stated.

Since January 2024, the U.S. has reported 66 human bird flu cases, though experts believe the actual number may be higher, especially among poultry and cattle workers. While human-to-human transmission has not been observed, scientists remain concerned that the virus could combine with seasonal flu strains, potentially leading to a more transmissible and deadly pandemic.

The funding comes amid concerns over how the incoming Trump administration will address the threat. Trump has suggested he would abolish the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response, though it remains unclear whether he has the authority to do so. His health secretary nominee, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is a vocal vaccine skeptic with controversial views on public health.

Criticism of the Biden administration’s bird flu response has also emerged. A report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies highlighted issues such as lagging data, poor surveillance, and insufficient vaccine stockpiling.

Experts warn that avian influenza could evolve into a pandemic or widespread health crisis in the coming years. Infectious disease expert Meg Schaeffer called for caution, especially among those who consume raw milk, a potential vector for the virus.