Information received on 16 September 2005 from Dr Hirofumi Kugita, Chief Veterinary Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tokyo:

End of previous report period: 23 August 2005 (see Disease Information, 18 [34], 277, dated 26 August 2005).

End of this report period: 16 September 2005.

Precise identification of agent: low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) virus subtype H5N2.

Date of first confirmation of the event: 26 June 2005.

Date of start of the event: 24 June 2005.

Since 23 August 2005, 21 additional outbreaks have been detected and now the number of infected farms is 31 in total. The surveillance for all chicken farms holding over 1,000 chickens (excluding broiler farms) in Ibaraki prefecture was completed on 12 September. Furthermore, surveillance conducted at the national level, targeting commercial poultry farms (excluding broiler farms) in each prefecture, is due to be completed on 22 September.

Details of new outbreaks:

* 1 farm

Diagnosis: laboratory diagnosis. None of the affected chickens showed clinical signs of the disease.

Source of outbreaks or origin of infection: unknown or inconclusive. Epidemiological investigations to elucidate the cause of these outbreaks are continuing.

Control measures undertaken:

- partial stamping out;

- quarantine;

- movement control inside the country;

- screening;

- zoning;

- disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s);

Vaccination prohibited: yes.