New swine fever case confirmed in Central Japan

April 17, 2019

Gifu, April 17 (Jiji Press)--The Gifu prefectural government said Wednesday a new swine fever case has been confirmed at a farm in the central Japan prefecture.

Some 9,600 pigs raised at the farm in Ena will be slaughtered.

This is the 15th facility in Gifu where a swine fever infection has been confirmed since September last year, when Japan's first swine fever case in 26 years occurred in the prefecture.

According to the agriculture ministry, the prefecture conducted an on-site inspection of the farm after receiving a report about pigs with unusual condition Tuesday.

Some pigs at the farm tested positive for swine fever, also known as hog cholera, in a detailed examination.

The ministry established on-site headquarters in February and is supervising the hygiene management at farms and related facilities in the prefecture.

But the spread of swine fever has not come to an end.

The ministry, however, is negative about vaccinating pigs due to concern over the effects on the country's exports. Jiji Press