Current Situation of Foot-and-mouth Disease Outbreaks in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan

Japan reported to the OIE that the reoccurrence of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was in Miyazaki Prefecture, in April 20, 2010, with 16 beef cattle outbreaks due to serotype O virus by RT-PCR test in National Institute of Animal Health. This was the first occurrence of FMD since March 2000. In the end of April, the outbreaks involved buffalos, cattle and pigs were 12 cases with 4,369 susceptible animals. All animals in the affected farm were destroyed. The stamping-out method and movement restrictions within 10 km around the affected farm have been implemented. In May, the outbreaks were continued severe epidemic and emergency vaccination campaign against FMD was started on 22 May to all domestic susceptible animals kept in unaffected farms in movement control areas established within 10 km. As the end of May, number of the outbreaks was on a steady rise and the epidemic was not resolved. In June 14, the outbreaks were recorded 289 cases with 193,295 susceptible animals.