Japan confirms first avian influenza outbreak of 2026

According to Golden Ten Data on January 2, Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced that a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak has occurred at a poultry farm in Miyazaki Prefecture. This is Japan's first avian influenza outbreak in 2026 and the 13th outbreak in the country during this avian influenza season. According to a press release issued by the Ministry on January 2, the affected poultry farm is located in Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture, and raises approximately 6,000 chickens. Genetic testing confirmed that the chickens at this farm were infected with a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. The Miyazaki Prefecture report on January 2 further clarified that the outbreak was caused by the H5 subtype of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.