15,000 pigs culled as Classical swine fever hits Japan

Japan has announced that more than 15,000 pigs are to be culled after Classical swine fever was discovered in the country. 

The outbreak has spread to five regions, including Osaka, Reuters in Tokyo reported. 

The virus, which the authorities stressed was different to the African swine fever virus affecting China, was discovered on pigs in central Japan’s Aichi region. This was the first case outside neighbouring Gifu prefecture since the country’s first CSF outbreak in 26 years was confirmed in Gifu last September.

Pigs shipped from the Aichi farm in to pig farms in Osaka and three other regions were also found to be infected, the ministry official said, adding around 15,000 pigs at affected farms were being culled and buried.

“In order to prevent the disease from spreading further, the government will do its utmost by having the agriculture ministry and relevant local authorities cooperate for speedy and thorough implementation of quarantine measures,” said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

Pig Progress reports that 47,000 pigs across 10 farms have been culled since the virus was discovered in September.