Japan has confirmed a new bird flu outbreak, which is reported to be the country's second this season. The outbreak is said to have occurred at a poultry farm in Hokkaido, although there is some uncertainty as the location is also reported to be in Iwate prefecture or possibly Niigata, which would be the fourth outbreak. The situation appears to be part of a larger trend of rising bird flu cases, with other regions such as Europe and North America also experiencing an increase.