Changhua: Authorities in Changhua County have completed the culling of 27,347 laying hens at a local poultry farm after some of the birds were confirmed as having been infected with the H5N1 virus. The detection was made on Thursday, as stated in a recent press release.

According to Focus Taiwan, test results from laying hens that died of an unknown cause were reported to authorities on Tuesday. These results, which came back positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) on Thursday, were confirmed by the Changhua County Animal Disease Control Center. Following this confirmation, disease prevention personnel undertook culling, clearing, and disinfection operations at the farm in Fangyuan Township, completing the process on Saturday.

The farm proactively reported the case, with authorities emphasizing that failing to report infections could result in fines ranging from NT$50,000 to NT$1 million (US$1,592 to US$31,852). The Animal Disease Control Center has issued warnings that current cold weather conditions and increased migratory bird activity heighten the risk of avian flu infections. They have urged poultry farms to enhance measures related to warmth, ventilation, biosecurity, and bird-proofing to mitigate these risks.