In this Feb 27, 2009 photo, prefectural officers (left) disinfect the quail farm where bird flu outbreak had been reported in Toyohashi city, central Japan.

TOKYO -  An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza at a poultry farm in Japan's eastern prefecture of Ibaraki has been confirmed, the farm ministry said on Monday, marking the second bird flu outbreak in the country this season.

Japan saw a record 84 outbreaks of highly pathogenic bird flu at farms in 26 of the country's 47 prefectures in the last season, with a record 17.71 million birds culled, leading to an egg shortage and price increases

All of some 72,000 egg-laying chickens at the farm in Kasama, Ibaraki prefecture, will be culled, Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries said in a press release.

The Kasama farm reported Sunday morning that about 450 chickens were dead, according to the Ibaraki prefectural government.

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After a simple virus test showed positive results, a detailed genetic examination was conducted, it added.

This season's first case was confirmed on a farm in Kashima city of the southern Japanese prefecture of Saga on Saturday.

Japan saw a record 84 outbreaks of highly pathogenic bird flu at farms in 26 of the country's 47 prefectures in the last season, with a record 17.71 million birds culled, leading to an egg shortage and price increases.