TOKYO, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Japan's agriculture ministry said Friday that a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak had been confirmed in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, marking the country's second bird flu outbreak this season.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, genetic testing confirmed the outbreak at a poultry farm in Asahi, Chiba Prefecture, which raises approximately 40,000 egg-laying hens.
Local agricultural authorities announced the same day that they would cull the poultry at the farm as part of measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
Japan's avian influenza season typically runs from autumn through the following spring. On Thursday, the country's first bird flu outbreak of the season was confirmed in Kameoka, Kyoto Prefecture. ■