TOKYO, Nov. 21 ― In the wake of an outbreak of classical swine fever, also known as hog cholera, in domestic pigs in central Japan, the agriculture ministry has been calling on local governments to increase surveillance and preventative measures of the infectious disease.
On Sept. 9, the ministry reported a case of classical swine fever at a farm in Gifu prefecture for the first time in 26 years. The remaining 610 pigs were culled to contain the outbreak and depopulation of the farm was completed.
As a result, Japan suspended exports of pork and other pork products.
Classical swine fever occurs among pigs and wild boar and is not infectious to humans, but it can be devastating the pork industry because pork sales would be severely disrupted.
It is unrelated to the African swine fever that has broken out in China and other countries in Easter Europe.
The ministry has investigated about cause of virus introduction, pointing out possible contacts through vehicles or pig traders and farm visitors.