More foot-and-mouth found in Miyazaki

The Yomiuri Shimbun

A new case of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed in a cow in Miyazaki, the first infection in the prefecture since June 18, which will likely delay the lifting of restrictions on the movement of livestock, the agriculture ministry said Monday.

The Miyazaki prefectural government had planned to lift restrictions throughout the prefecture on July 16, but this is now unlikely to happen until the end of this month at the earliest.

The infected cow was found at a farm that has 16 cows, including the infected one, the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry said.

Prefectural officials discovered the infected cow during farm inspections to prepare for the lifting of restrictions in the city planned for next Sunday. The cow, which was salivating excessively and had mouth sores, was diagnosed with the disease from photos Sunday.

The case raised the number of farms with infected cows and pigs in the prefecture to 292.

Culling of all 16 cows at the farm began Sunday night and burial was completed by early Monday morning.

Under the epidemic prevention guidelines, restrictions on the movement of cows and pigs may be lifted 21 days after the last infected animal has been culled, meaning restrictions in the city can be lifted on July 27 at the earliest.

Miyazaki Gov. Hideo Higashikokubaru said he was "shocked" by the news.

"It's extremely regrettable. We're taking the matter seriously," he added Monday.

The state of emergency was partially lifted in some areas Thursday, as there had been no reported outbreaks for more than two weeks, and all infected animals had been buried. Under the state of emergency, residents were urged not to hold events that would draw crowds, and to refrain from leaving their homes unnecessarily.

Higashikokubaru suggested Monday that the restrictions would not be reinstated.

"I still believe that partially pulling back [the state of emergency] was appropriate. This new outbreak didn't happen because of our negligence," he said.

The prefectural government believes the cow became infected around the end of June, and the ministry is trying to confirm the exact time and route of infection.