Japan’s 2025-2026 HPAI Season
Japan’s poultry sector remains on high alert as the 2025–2026 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) season continues to unfold. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the country has verified 23 distinct outbreaks in commercial poultry operations as of the conclusion of March 2026.
The geographical distribution of the virus has recently shifted toward the northern prefectures, aligning with the "second wave" of migratory bird movements typical for the Japanese spring. Genetic sequencing by the National Institute of Animal Health (NIAH) has primarily identified the H5N1 subtype as the dominant strain circulating this season. While the current tally of 23 outbreaks indicates a significant biological event, the intensity of the 2025–2026 season remains markedly lower than the historical peaks observed during the catastrophic 2022-2023 cycle.
|
Case No |
Date |
Location |
No. Birds |
Poultry Type |
|
23 |
26/03/26 |
Kakuda City, Miyagi Prefecture |
9,000 |
Ducks |
|
22 |
25/03/26 |
Chitose City, Hokkaido |
460,000 |
Laying hens |
|
21 |
05/03/26 |
Abira Town, Hokkaido |
188,000 |
Broilers |
|
20 |
21/02/26 |
Kanegasaki Town, Iwate Prefecture |
560,000 |
Laying hens |
|
19 |
20/02/26 |
Asahi City, Chiba Prefecture |
60,000 |
Laying hens |
|
18 |
26/01/26 |
Asahi municipality, Chiba Prefecture |
109,388 |
Quails |
|
17 |
21/01/26 |
Seki municipality, Gifu Prefecture |
20,240 |
Broilers |
|
16 |
12/01/26 |
Tsu City, Mie Prefecture |
23,481 |
Laying hens |
|
15 |
10/01/26 |
Higashi Kagawa City, Kagawa Prefecture |
23,769 |
Laying hens |
|
14 |
07/01/26 |
Himeji City, Hyōgo Prefecture |
154,287 |
Laying hens |
|
13 |
02/01/26 |
Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture |
6,000 |
Broiler Breeders |
|
12 |
30/12/25 |
Arasayama Town, Saitama Prefecture |
240,000 |
Laying hens |
|
11 |
29/12/25 |
Yuni Town, Hokkaido |
6,000 |
Laying hens |
|
10 |
26/12/25 |
Shirosato Town, Ibaraki Prefecture |
970,000 |
Laying hens |
|
9 |
24/12/25 |
Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture |
280,000 |
Laying hens |
|
8 |
20/12/25 |
Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture |
430,000 |
Laying hens |
|
7 |
16/12/25 |
Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture |
240,000 |
Laying hens |
|
6 |
02/12/25 |
Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture |
75,000 |
Broilers |
|
5 |
22/11/25 |
Hyuga City, Miyazaki Prefecture |
48,000 |
Broilers |
|
4 |
09/11/25 |
Tainai City, Niigata Prefecture |
280,000 |
Laying hens |
|
3 |
04/11/25 |
Tainai City, Niigata Prefecture |
630,000 |
Laying hens |
|
2 |
01/11/25 |
Eniwa City, Hokkaido Province |
236,000 |
Laying hens |
|
1 |
21/10/25 |
Shiraoi Town, Hokkaido Island |
460,000 |
Laying hens |
