March 19, 2014
Japan confirms new PED outbreak in Kyushu Island
Japan reported a new outbreak of porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED) in Oita prefecture in the north-east of Kyushu Island.
PED has been confirmed as the cause of death of young pigs at a farm in Hita, according to Oita Press.
Suspicions of the disease were detected on March 15 and by the following morning, an estimated 40% of piglets had died.
The authorities have called for the highest level of biosecurity to stop the spread of the virus, including disinfection of the seats, pedals and footwall of vehicles used by anyone who handles pigs.
It was confirmed that PED poses no danger to human health. The disease was first seen in Japan last autumn in Miyazaki and Kagoshima.
