Japan has confirmed its third outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza this season. Authorities in Niigata Prefecture say the virus was detected at a poultry farm in Tainai City, where about 630,000 egg-laying chickens will be culled. Earlier cases were found in Hokkaido’s Shiraoi and Eniwa cities in October.

The highly contagious bird flu continues to threaten poultry farms worldwide, causing major economic losses and raising concerns over potential transmission to humans and other animals. HPAI is a highly contagious transboundary disease with zoonotic potential affecting both animal and human health. It causes variable clinical signs and high mortality rates in both wild and domestic bird populations.