Miyazaki declares end to foot-and-mouth epidemic

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MIYAZAKI, Japan, Aug. 27 Kyodo -
Miyazaki Gov. Hideo Higashikokubaru on Friday declared an end to the
foot-and-mouth disease epidemic that has severely hit livestock in the
southwestern Japanese prefecture, more than four months after the first case
was reported.
''We have completed steps to eradicate the virus,'' Higashikokubaru told a news
conference at the prefectural government building. ''I declare an end to the
foot-and-mouth disease in the prefecture.''
The outbreak in the prefecture that began in late April forced the prefecture
to slaughter around 289,000 cows and pigs, and impose a ban on transfers of
livestock.
The latest announcement came after the Miyazaki government lifted its last ban
on the transfer of animals in late July and made an announcement Thursday that
all 1,250 affected farms had completed procedures to detoxify and dispose of
animal excreta to ensure the complete eradication of the virus.
The disease also led to temporary closures of public facilities and
cancellations of nearly 300 sports and other public events, while the
prefectural government asked residents in affected areas and their vicinities
to refrain from going out unless absolutely necessary.
The first confirmed case of foot-and-mouth disease in the recent outbreak was
reported in the town of Tsuno on April 20 before it spread to 11
municipalities, including Miyakonojo City, one of Japan's biggest livestock
centers.
The governor declared a state of emergency on May 18 which was partially lifted
on July 1 after all animals in affected areas were culled.
The prefectural government also said it will set up its own 3 billion yen fund,
mainly funded by public donations from across the country, to carry out public
work projects for the economic recovery of the prefecture.
The local government said it requires a larger 30 billion yen fund for that
purpose and is seeking financial assistance from the central government.
The prefecture will also check the health of cows during a three-week period
from next Tuesday to confirm the virus has been eradicated at some affected
farms.
The affected farms will be able to resume operations in late September or later.
The local government also plans to transfer five top-class stud bulls, which
have been evacuated to the city of Saito, to two facilities in the towns of
Takanabe and Takaharu from next January, while resuming the extraction of stud
bull semen by the end of this year.
==Kyodo
2010-08-27 20:30:37


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