#13,840
Classical Swine Fever - which appeared in Japan for the first time in 26 years last September - had, until now, infected 7 farms in Gifu Prefecture and had been detected in just over 100 wild boar in Gifu and Aichi Prefectures (see Jan 30ths Japan: Another Suspected Outbreak Of CSF Connected To Yesterday's Outbreak).
This morning, Japan's MAFF reports the first farm in Aichi to test positive for the virus, and that presumably infected pigs from that farm had recently been shipped to four other Prefectures (Gifu, Nagano, Shiga, and Osaka).While confirmatory tests are underway, the headline from the English language Asahi Shimbun (below) tells the story:
Swine fever hits 5 prefectures after shipments from Aichi farmWhile often clinically indistinguishable from African Swine Fever (ASF), Classical Swine Fever (CSF) is caused by a different virus (genus Pestivirus, family Flaviviridae).
THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
Both diseases are highly contagious among pigs, and can be economically devastating for pork producers, but neither disease poses a direct human health threat.Today's announced outbreak, and the likely spread of the virus to 3 new Prefectures, is a huge blow to Japans efforts to contain the virus. Japan had been one of only 35 countries (see map below) that has been certified by the OIE as being free of the disease with their last outbreak reported in the early 1990s.
With Japan's recent suspension, that number now stands at 34.
The following (translated) update comes from Japan's MAFF.
Confirmation of slaughter of swine fever in Aichi prefecture and determination of countermeasures policy at "Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry of Hortus cholera protection"
February 6, Heisei 31
Ministry of Agriculture
Today, at the pig farm in Toyota City, Aichi prefecture, slaughter of swine fever was confirmed. Following this, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries today held the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry of Horticulture Cholerae Preparedness Response Headquarters, and decided on future response policy.
The farm refrains from moving pigs from the point of suspected hog cholera. Since coverage at the work site may cause spread of the disease and it may invade the privacy of the farmers, we ask for your cooperation so as to abstain.
1. Outline of the farm
Location: Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture
Feeding situation: 1,140 breeding pigs, 5,500 fattening pigs
2. Background
(1) On February 4 (Monday), Aichi Prefecture received an in-house inspection at a pig farm in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, in response to a report that fed pigs are showing symptoms such as anorexia, loss of energy and so on Did.
(2) On February 5 (Tuesday), since Aichi Prefecture conducted a test on suspicion of hog cholerae, the material was sent to the National Institute of Animal Health Research (Note) of the National Institute of Agriculture, and a precision examination was carried out By the way, it turned out today that it is a slaughter of swine fever.
(3) In addition to related farms in Aichi Prefecture, pseudo-affected animals of swine fever were also confirmed on the related farms in Nagano Prefecture, Gifu Prefecture, Shiga Prefecture and Osaka Prefecture where pigs were moving from the farm occurred.
(4) In response to this, on the basis of the "specific livestock epidemic quarantine guidelines for classical swine fever", today know 8:00 20 held the "Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries swine fever epidemic prevention headquarters", determine the corresponding policy for the future of the epidemic prevention measures did.
(Note) National Institute of Agriculture and Food Industry, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology Animal Hygiene Research Division: Research institute on domestic animal health
3. Future response
Newly added items
(1) To confirm cooperation with Aichi Prefecture and Gifu Prefecture, Mr. Kosato Mr. Kosato was dispatched to Aichi Prefecture and Gifu Prefecture.
(2) Dispatch the national epidemiological survey team to Aichi prefecture to investigate the infection route etc.
(3) thorough anti-quarantine measures such as early killing of farms in Nagano Prefecture, Gifu Prefecture, Aichi Prefecture, Shiga Prefecture and Osaka Prefecture where occurrence was confirmed
(4) To provide guidance on all farms in Aichi prefecture and Gifu prefecture regarding compliance with feeding hygiene management standards, such as disinfection of farms and prevention of intrusion of wildlife to farms
(Reference) Response policy (September 9, Heisei 3, 2010 Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery)
(Continue . . . )
Meanwhile, China remains strangely silent on their African Swine Fever epidemic, not having updated their ASF surveillance page since January 20th.
While some of this may be due to political expedience, in the past - particularly with avian flu - we've seen similar slowdowns in reporting in the weeks before and after the Lunar New Year (Feb 5th this year).
Stay tuned.
