23 April 2014
The virus strain H5N8 that caused avian influenza at a poultry farm in Kumamoto Prefecture has been confirmed to be genetically identical to the one found in South Korea, the National Institute of Animal Health said.
Genome sequencing conducted by the institute proved the virus strain detected April 13 on the farm in the town of Taragi, Kumamoto Prefecture, was at least 99 percent identical to the virus that has led to widespread infections in South Korea this year.
The farm ministry believes the virus came from South Korea. It will hold a meeting Wednesday to discuss ways to clarify the route by which it reached Japan.
The ministry said April 17 that the avian influenza found in Kumamoto has been confirmed as the same H5N8 subtype detected in South Korea. The institute has conducted genome analysis for more details.
Some 12 million chickens have been destroyed in South Korea since January, due to the avian influenza outbreak.