Oct 16, Kathmandu- A nationwide warning has been issued to reduce the risk of highly contagious avian influenza (bird flu) being found in wild birds in two cities in the Hokkaido region of Japan. The Ministry of Environment of Japan said that this decision was made after the virus was found in two different places in Hokkaido.

According to the ministry, the virus was found in a dead falcon in Otobe town on September 30 and a group of wild ducks in Betsukai town on October 8. Officials are calling for stricter monitoring of wild birds across the country.

Although bird flu usually does not pose a threat to humans unless they come in close contact with infected birds, the ministry has instructed the public to avoid touching dead birds and to report any suspicious bird deaths to local authorities.

Following reports of multiple outbreaks of the bird flu virus in various regions of Japan, the ministry has raised the nationwide alert to the highest level. The administration has pledged to intensify surveillance and investigation into the spread of the virus.