News

Possible FMD infection in Japan

Japan has temporarily halted beef exports after a possible case of Foot & Mouth Disease was found in southern Japan. The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry says three cows are suspected of being infected with the virus and “the government will take every measure to prevent the disease from spreading further.” The three cows are part of a herd of 16 all of which will be destroyed if the disease is confirmed and a safety zone will be set up to monitor cattle and control their movement in the area.

If confirmed, it would be the first cases of FMD in Japan since 2000. Japan exported 594 metric tons of beef in the last fiscal year to several countries including the United States.

Meanwhile, South Korea confirms an outbreak of FMD on Ganghwa Island has now spread to the mainland. The disease was first discovered on the island on April 9th, since then nearly 30,000 animals on more than 220 farms were culled in an effort to halt the spread of the infection. It has now been found in cattle on the mainland in an area linked to the island by a bridge. Taipei Times reports officials culled 194 cattle at the infected farm and three neighboring farms and have banned movement of more than 74,000 animals on 362 farms within a ten kilometer radius.