Japan’s Bird Flu Cases Surge In January—-Japan is experiencing a surge of avian influenza outbreak, with approximately five million chickens and other birds culled across five prefectures this month.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has confirmed the new outbreaks at two poultry farms in Morioka City this week.

This has prompted the establishment of an on-site response headquarters in Iwate Prefecture.

In total, 26 outbreak sites have been identified this month, with nearly five million birds impacted.

The ministry warned that the outbreaks could show no signs of slowing and the situation may worsen, potentially breaking past records.

The ministry also noted the impact on egg prices, reporting a 15per cent increase since the start of the year.

Some industry observers have raised concerns about potential supply shortages as the effects of avian influenza begin to take hold.

JUST IN: Lagos Health Workers Begin Strike—-TCN reports that the unions include the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, NUAHP, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, and the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU.

Oloruntoba Odumosu, Secretary of NANNM, in an interview with NAN on Wednesday, insisted that the strike would hold following the expiration of an ultimatum issued by the unions.

Odumosu disclosed that a meeting of the union leaders with officials of the state government on Dec. 9 also ended in an impasse.

“The government officials couldn’t give us a clear timeline for the implementation of our demands and there’s no governor’s approval for the payment.

“We reported the feedback to the Congress, which was ongoing at our secretariat, and it unanimously voted ‘No’, insisting on proceeding with the strike,” he said.

He complained that the matter had lingered for long, in spite of numerous attempts by the unions to resolve it amicably.

“However, it has become clear that the government does not accord the issue the seriousness it deserves.

“Engagement on December 2 with the Ministry of Establishments and Training further reinforced our concerns as the meeting failed to provide clarity on the computation method for the adjustment.

“This is particularly concerning given that Lagos state does not operate the full CONHESS structure, nor did it yield a definite timeline for payment.

“This is especially disheartening as adjustments have already been implemented for doctors since October 2024.

“This approach, which prioritises some segments of the health workforce while neglecting others, is divisive and undermines the collective morale of health professionals in the state,” he said.

Odumosu regretted that the government appeared ‘indifferent’ to addressing their legitimate demands in spite of the critical roles played by members of the unions in ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare to Lagos residents.

“The handling of this matter has left us with no other choice but to resort to this warning strike, spanning from December 11 to December 13.

“It is aimed at pressing home our demands for the full implementation of the CONHESS adjustment for all eligible health workers in Lagos state,” he said.

Similarly, Kamaldeen Kabiawu, State Secretary, NUAHP, decried the delayed implementation of the 25 per cent CONHESS adjustment, especially after the government approved a 35 per cent CONMESS adjustment for doctors in October 2024.

NAN reports that the strike will affect all state-owned health facilities – Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), general hospitals, and primary health centres (PHCs).