AVIAN INFLUENZA: JAPAN WEEKLY REPORT JUNE 15

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 003317 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AIAG AMBASSADOR LANGE DEPT FOR OES/IHA SINGER AND FENDRICK DEPT FOR EAP/J USDA PASS TO APHIS HHS PASS TO CDC HHS FOR OGHA STEIGER, BHAT AND ELVANDER DEPT PASS TO AID/GH/HIDN DENNIS CARROLL SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO KFLU KSTH ECON PREL SOCI JA SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA: JAPAN WEEKLY REPORT JUNE 15 REF: A. 05 STATE 153802 ¶B. TOKYO 3169 AND PREVIOUS TOKYO 00003317 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. The following is an update on avian influenza (AI) developments in Japan for the period June 8 to 15. No human or animal outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza were reported in Japan during the above period. -- Ibaraki Prefecture Poultry Industry Hit Hard by Last Year's LPAI Outbreaks -- ¶2. The number of layer chickens in Ibaraki Prefecture has declined approximately 30% as compared to the previous year, knocking Ibaraki from its position as the top poultry producing prefecture in Japan according to the results of an annual survey conducted by agricultural officials every February. The number of chickens fell 29.5% to a current total of 8.5 million birds, a reduction of 3.6 million chickens. The total number of breeder houses in the prefecture also fell by 21 units. This currently places Ibaraki as the fifth largest producer in Japan, following Chiba, Aichi, Kagoshima and Hiroshima Prefectures. The officials issuing the report connected the reduction to the low pathogenic avian influenza outbreak last year that forced many farmers to cull their chickens, leading to the closure of some businesses. -- Japan No Longer "Hungary" for Budapest's Chicken Exports -- ¶3. On June 12, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) announced that it would suspend imports of poultry meat from Hungary due to outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in that country. MAFF is requesting further information from the government of Hungary on the outbreak. Japan imported 193 tons of poultry meat and 331 tons of poultry guts from Hungary in 2005, making Hungary the number two source of imported foie gras. -- Hundreds of Dead Migratory Birds Wash Up in Miyagi Prefecture -- ¶4. Officials have found hundreds of dead migratory birds that have washed up on the shores of Miyagi Prefecture between Natori and Iwanuma Cities. The prefecture's Nature Conservation Division said the birds were Shearwaters, a type of seabird. They blamed the deaths on poor weather, and said that there was no concern that avian influenza was to blame. The birds typically migrate from Australia to Siberia between the spring and summer, passing through Japan along the way. Officials sent three of the dead birds to a health facility in Sendai City, where scientists used a quick test to check for avian influenza. The results all came back negative. -- More Vaccine Needed for this Winter's Seasonal Flu -- ¶5. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) expects that between 21.5 and 22.8 million ampoules of seasonal influenza vaccine will be needed for the upcoming winter season. This is up one million ampoules from the previous year. The number of ampoules will be able to treat more than 40 million people. Four Japanese vaccine makers will be able to supply 23 million ampoules to satisfy the demand. The Ministry also mentioned that an additional 4.7 million ampoules might become necessary to respond to a potential increase in demand from individuals who will want a seasonal influenza vaccination if a patient suffering from avian influenza is detected in Japan. -- High School Agriculture Students Take Small Steps to Prevent AI -- ¶6. Students at the Nogei High School in Nantan City, Kyoto TOKYO 00003317 002.2 OF 002 Prefecture have designed a poultry house that significantly reduces the amount of stress chickens feel when kept at such facilities. The students were prohibited from raising poultry due to an avian influenza outbreak that occurred in the area in early 2004, but when school officials agreed to restart the program, the students decided to completely redesign the school's chicken coops by taking into consideration avian influenza prevention measures such as ways to prevent unwanted contact with wild birds. The school's original cages were built so that each bird was kept in a separate 20x40x40 centimeter enclosure where they also laid their eggs, but in the redesigned houses, several birds coexist in a larger 150x180x175 centimeter cage that is outfitted with perches and egg laying areas that are covered with a black cloth to reduce stress. The students report that though the chickens are laying slightly fewer eggs, they appear healthier. The school hopes that this activity will provide the students with an idea of how to produce safe and secure agricultural products. SCHIEFFER