Governor of Saitama Prefecture requesting national support for confirmation of swine cholera infection September 17th 19:47
Governor Ohno of Saitama Prefecture met with Yutaka Arai, Director of Consumer Affairs and Safety, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on the evening of 17th after the infection of swine cholera was confirmed at two pig farms in Saitama Prefecture.
In this, Governor Ohno said, “We managed to contain the case of the first case of swine cholera, but unfortunately the second positive reaction occurred. Since the two cases are a certain distance away, I want to stop at this stage. I would like to deal with the country with two people and tripods, "and asked for national support.
In contrast, Arai Consumer Affairs and Safety Bureau said, “We have taken seriously the occurrence of swine cholera in Saitama, Kanto, where there are a large number of animals. We are working on wild boars to spread the infection. "We want to work hard to ensure that producers can raise pigs with peace of mind."
Infectious breeding facilities in 8 prefectures
In September last year, swine cholera infection was confirmed in Gifu Prefecture for the first time in 26 years in Japan, and then in February, Aichi, Nagano, Osaka and Shiga Prefectures confirmed infection. it was done.
After that, outbreaks continued in pig farms in Gifu and Aichi prefectures, but in July, swine farms in Mie and Fukui prefectures were confirmed one after another, and infection was confirmed in seven prefectures. Expanded to
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries considered that wild boar is spreading, and has been promoting measures such as strengthening the capture of wild boars and feeding them with vaccines.
In addition, as measures to protect pigs in pig farms, we have informed hog farmers all over the country that thorough disinfection of people entering and exiting facilities and vehicles, and obliged to install new fences surrounding the facilities. It was.
However, the spread of infection did not stop, and last week, just one year after the first outbreak in Gifu Prefecture, the first time in the Kanto region, swine cholera infection was confirmed at a pig farm in Saitama Prefecture, and on the 17th A new infection was confirmed at another pig farm in Saitama Prefecture.
There are about 80 breeding facilities that have been confirmed so far in eight prefectures, and the number of pigs killed has exceeded 135,000.
In the Kanto region, especially in the northern Kanto region, there are many pigs raised, and there is concern about further spread of infection.
Pig farmers and others have asked for vaccination to prevent infection of pigs, saying that “the current measures cannot prevent the spread of infection”, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries We are going to proceed with a full-fledged study of whether it is possible.
Pig cholera's “clean country” standards
The International Organization for Monitoring Animal Infectious Diseases, OIE = International Animal Health Organization Secretariat, covers swine cholera as well as seven types of diseases that may have a serious impact on the livestock industry, such as foot-and-mouth disease and BSE. We have established a “clean country” standard, which means that there is no disease in that country.
Pig cholera's “clean country” conditions are that there is no disease in the pigs raised for more than 1 year, no virus has been detected, and that no vaccine has been used against pigs for more than 1 year. Five conditions are to be met.
Japan was a clean country for swine cholera, but in September last year, the OIE has “stopped” the “clean country” certification following the outbreak in Gifu Prefecture.
In order to return to the “clean country” from the “stopped” state, it is required that there will be no more than 3 months since the pig was killed within 2 years. There are cases where it is required that there is no outbreak for more than a year.
As of May, 36 countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia have been certified as “clean countries” for swine cholera, and many countries in Africa and Asia are considered “non-clean countries”.
When it becomes a “non-clean country”, it is said that it will be disadvantageous in terms of trade because conditions and procedures will be stricter, such as being heated when exporting to other countries.
Although the use of vaccines can be expected to prevent pig infection, there is a risk that the return to a “clean country” may be delayed, so MAFF uses vaccines for pigs that are still being raised It has been said that it is not a stage.