Bird flu hits Japan

Bird flu, which is highly contagious and has been rapidly spreading in parts of Asia, has arrived in Japan, say officials.


6,000 chickens died in the western prefecture of Yamaguchi (in a farm). Officials have confirmed that these chickens died of avian influenza (bird flu).


Japanese officials say that it is the first case since 1997. Bird flu can be deadly to humans (the last human death in Japan was 1925).


According to officials, this bird flu is of the H5 virus strain. They also said that all chickens in the area (of Yamaguchi) will be slaughtered (and incinerated) and eggs from the region will be stopped (from sale).


The countries most badly affected by this current bird flu are Vietnam, Taiwan, South Korea (recently) and now Japan.