Yamagata classical swine fever (CSF) incidence concerns Northern farmers in Japan, other regions affected

At the end of December 2020, Japan recorded its first cases of classical swine fever (CSF) in domestic pigs for more than three months. Within days, a second outbreak was confirmed in another part of the country.

According to sources, the agriculture ministry reported that the CSF virus had been detected at a farm in Yamagata prefecture, accounting as the first outbreak among Japanese domestic pig population since the end of September. Therefore also affecting a farm in Tsuruoka — these were the first cases in the region of Tohuko.

Among the 1,327 pigs at the premises, a number were showing signs of fever, and 20 died, according to the official report to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

Three days later, CSF virus was found at a farm with 6,600 pigs in Mie prefecture. The Ministry of Agriculture informed the OIE that 20 pigs had died. The outbreak in the Iga city region was the first in the prefecture since July 2019.

The latest cases bring to 61 the number of Japanese farms where CSF outbreaks have occurred.

According to the OIE report, Japan amended national livestock disease control guidelines in October 2019 to allow vaccination of domestic pigs against CSF in selected prefectures. Among these 27 regions were Mie and Yamagata. Akire prefecture has now been added to this list.