Japan has found a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in wild bird droppings

, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Researchers at Hokkaido University have discovered the H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in wild bird droppings in Hokkaido, Japan's Ministry of the Environment announced on Oct. 30.
Japan's Ministry of Environment issued the same day the relevant circular said that the researchers 24 in the hokkaido city of Yebe collected samples of wild bird droppings, 30 test results confirmed that there is H5N8 avian influenza virus. This is the first time in about two and a half years that a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus has been detected in wild bird droppings in Japan. The Ministry of the Environment has set 10 km around the sample collection area as a key area for wild bird surveillance.
, Slovakia, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Kazakhstan and other countries have reported outbreaks of H5N8 avian influenza. South Korean authorities collected wild bird droppings in Tian'an City, Zhongqing Nando, on October 21 and reported on the 25th that the H5N8 avian influenza virus had been detected.
H5N8 avian influenza virus is a highly contagious virus among birds. No human cases of the H5N8 avian influenza virus have been detected since it was first detected worldwide in 2014.