For the first time since 1992 classical swine fever (CSF) has been found in Japan. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (computer translated), the outbreak was confirmed over the weekend on a farm in Gifu Prefecture.
To date, 546 hogs have been culled and a export ban has been instituted. Around 140 pigs at the farm have died from the disease, also known as hog cholera, over the past week.
Classical swine fever is a contagious, often fatal viral disease of pigs clinically characterized by high body temperature, lethargy, yellowish diarrhea, vomiting, and a purple skin discoloration of the ears, lower abdomen, and legs.
Because of the severe economic impact of CSF, outbreaks are notifiable to the OIE. CSF has the potential to cause devastating epidemics, particularly in countries free of the disease.
While clinically indistinguishable from African Swine Fever, it is caused by an unrelated DNA virus.
Also known as “hog cholera”, CSF does not affect humans even if meat from an infected animal is consumed.
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