December 9, 2022

Japan intensifies measures against bird flu and African swine fever

Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said it will intensify measures to protect poultry and swine farms from bird flu and African swine fever (ASF) as bird flu spreads across the country, NHK World-Japan reported.

Nomura Tetsuro, Japan's Agriculture Minister, said in his ministry's emergency task force meeting that infection control is crucial especially as more people travel over the New Year holidays.

He hopes that authorities would focus on stopping both the spread of ASF and additional bird flu outbreaks.

More than 4 million chickens have been culled in Japan since the first bird flu case of the season was discovered at the end of October.

Bird flu is also spreading faster compared to two years ago, when a record number of chickens were culled.

A separate reported said the easing of COVID-19 quarantine restrictions may make it easier for ASF to enter Japan. There is currently no evidence of the pig-borne virus in the nation.

The attendees of the meeting said they would urge pig and poultry farms to completely sanitise their facilities and take other hygiene measures.

Additionally, they called for quarantine procedures related to food safety be strictly upheld at airports and shipping ports. For instance, tourists from other countries are banned from bringing meat and meat products into Japan.

-      NHK World-Japan