#news : Japanese PM urges hard efforts to fight bird flu

TOKYO, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Prime Minister Naoto Kan on Wednesday urged cabinet ministers to devote every effort to fight the avian flu as a fresh breakout of the disease had been reported in Izumi, Kagoshima Prefecture.

Kan made the call at a cabinet meeting after Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Michihiko Kano reported the culling of around 8,600 chickens infected with a highly pathogenic avian influenza at a poultry farm in the city.

Referring to the outbreak as "very regrettable," Kan pledged to work by any means necessary to contain the disease.

After the meeting, Kano told reporters that coordinated efforts with the defense and land ministries as well as with local authorities are needed to prevent the disease from further spreading.

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