Japan reports severe bird flu outbreak on egg farm
WOAH confirms cases in Hokkaido as global concern grows
23 October 2025
1 minute read
By: Japan has reported an outbreak of severe bird flu on an egg farm in the northern part of the country, Reuters reported, citing the World Organisation for Animal Health on Wednesday.
The highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, killed 46 birds on the farm located in the town of Shiraoi on Hokkaido island, Paris-based WOAH said, citing a report from Japanese authorities.
The report did not say how many birds were in the flock nor give details about the type of bird flu virus.
The spread of bird flu has raised concerns among governments and the poultry industry after it killed or led to the culling of hundreds of millions of poultry in recent years, disrupting supply, fuelling higher food prices and raising the risk of a new pandemic.
