April 17, 2008

Japan discovers CSF antibodies positive pigs

About 11 pigs at a farm in Ibaraki prefecture have been tested positive for classical swine fever (CSF) antibodies on Friday, according to a Japanese official from the Agriculture Ministry.

Vaccination against the disease is believed to be the reason behind the antibodies but the discovery had prompted the Agriculture Ministry to test the other 68 farms run by the same company in the neighbouring prefectures.

Similar results were found in some pigs in 17 other farms, although the official said the pigs did not show any symptoms of CSF.

The owner of the company had also admitted that he vaccinated some of the pigs without the permission of local authorities.

The affected pigs would not be culled but would be checked again for CSF in a week's time as precaution, said the official.