Bird flu alert raised in Japan

Japan is on national alert after a highly pathogenic avian influenza strain has been detected in two cities on the northern island of Hokkaido. The two cities are Otobe, where the virus was detected in a dead wild falcon on 30 September, and Betsukai, where it was detected in the excrement of wild ducks. The Japanese Ministry of Environment has raised the maximum alert level and urged local governments nationwide to intensify monitoring of wild birds and whether they carry the virus. The avian influenza virus is unlikely to infect humans unless they contact infected birds excessively. Despite this, officials advised citizens to wash always their hands and not touch dead animals, notifying also local authorities if they find them.