Eradication of foot and mouth disease in Japan

K. Sugiura (1), H. Ogura (1), K. Ito (1), K. Ishikawa (1) K. Hoshino (1) &
K. Sakamoto (2)
(1) Animal Health Division, Livestock Industry Department, Agricultural Production Bureau, Ministry of
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 1-2-1 Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8950, Japan
(2) Exotic Disease Department, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agricultural Research
Organisation, 6-20-1 Josuihon-cho, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo 187-0022, Japan
Submitted for publication: 4 October 2000
Accepted for publication: 29 August 2001

Summary
An outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) was recorded in Japan in the spring
of 2000, the first for ninety-two years. Between 25 March and 11 May, four farms
were infected. However, the disease was eradicated without resorting to
vaccination, through a campaign of culling, movement control of cloven-hoofed
animals in areas surrounding infected premises, and intensive clinical and
serological surveillance. Japan regained FMD-free status by the end of
September 2000. The authors describe the nature of the outbreaks, the
eradication measures implemented, and the clinical and serological surveillance
methods used. The possible sources of infection are also examined. Finally, the
direct and indirect economic losses are presented.
Keywords
Clinical surveillance – Eradication – Foot and mouth disease – Japan – Pan Asian
topotype – Serological surveillance.