Wednesday, December 05, 2018

Japan: MAFF Confirms Classical Swine Fever Outbreak At Livestock Research Institute

Gifu Prefecture - Credit Wikipedia
















#13,716


Note quite three months ago - and for the first time in 26 years - Japan reported an outbreak of Classical Swine Fever (CSF) in Gifu Prefecture (see Japan: MAFF Confirms Classical Swine Fever Outbreak). In mid-November a second farm was affected (see OIE Rpt #5), and over the past three months a number of wild boar in the region have tested positive for the virus.
While often clinically indistinguishable from African Swine Fever (ASF), Classical Swine Fever is caused by a different virus (genus Pestivirus, family Flaviviridae).
Like ASF, CSF is highly contagious, and can be economically devastating for pork producers, although it tends to produce much lower mortality in pigs. Unlike with ASF, there is a vaccine for Classical Swine Fever.

Today Japan's MAFF reports a 3rd farm outbreak, again in Gifu Prefecture, but this time not at a private farm - but at the  Gifu prefectural livestock research institute - where a high level of biosecurity would normally be expected.

About holding of the confirmation of the affected animals of swine fever in Gifu Prefecture (third example pig) and the "Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries swine fever epidemic prevention headquarters."
December 5, Heisei 30
Ministry of Agriculture
Today, animals of swine fever were confirmed at the Gifu prefectural livestock research institute in Minokamo City, Gifu Prefecture. Following this, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will hold the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Headquarters for Antimalopathy of Hog Cholera from 8:30 today.
The facility refrains from moving pigs from the point of suspected swine fever.
Please cooperate so that we can refrain from scrutinizing the interview in the field, as it may cause spread of the disease.
"Agriculture Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry of Agriculture, Anti-Disease Headquarters" is not disclosed. However, camera shooting at the beginning is possible.
1. Outline of the occurrence facility

Location: Minokamo, Gifu Prefecture
Facility overview: Gifu prefectural livestock research institute
Feeding situation: 67 breeding pigs, 424 piglets
2. Background

(1) On December 3, Gifu Prefecture received a report from a livestock research institute in Gifu prefecture that fed pigs showed symptoms such as anorexia, and conducted on-site inspection by Midorichi Livestock Health Sanitation Center, Gifu Prefecture Did.
(2) On December 4, a suspicion of hog cholera occurred due to examination by Gifu Prefectural Central Livestock Hygiene Sanitation Center, and therefore precision inspection was carried out at National Institute of Animal Agriculture · Food Industry Research Institute of Animal Health (Note) I confirmed today that I was a slaughtered animal.
(Note) Japan's only research institute on animal health
3. Future response

Based on the "Specific Animal Infectious Disease Control Guidelines on Hog ​​Cholera" today, we will hold the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry of Agriculture Measures Headquarters from 8:30 today and promptly consider future prevention measures.

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry &
Date and time: December 5, Heisei 5 (Wednesday) 8:30
Place: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 3F 1st Special Conference Room (Door No. book 335)
Location: 1-2-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
4. Other
(1) Hog cholera is a disease of pigs and wild boars, and it does not infect people. Also, the meat of infected pigs never goes on the market.
(2) The facility refrains from moving pigs from the point of suspected swine fever.
(3) Thank you for your cooperation so that you can refrain from scrutinizing the interview in the field as it may cause spread of the disease.
(4) Since we will make efforts to provide information promptly and accurately, cooperation is requested so that stakeholders and consumers, such as producers, will not be confused by unfounded rumors.

Prior to September, Japan was just one of 35 countries (see map below) that had been certified by the OIE as being free of the disease, a status they no longer enjoy (see OIE Statement)



The discovery of a 3rd affected farm - while disappointing - is not entirely  unexpected, given the spread of the virus in wild boar. But for it to to turn up at a prefectural livestock research institute - where biosecurity standards should be the highest - confirms how easily CSF can spread.