Outbreaks and control measures of PED in Japan

On October 1, 2013, outbreak of PED was confirmed in Okinawa prefecture for the first time in seven years in Japan, and then the outbreaks expanded to the 37 prefectures including Ibaraki prefecture, Kagoshima prefecture and Miyazaki prefecture. Number of cases had increased rapidly since March, 2014. Eventually, over 100 new cases per week were reported in the second week of April, 2014. Although the strengthening of control measures and getting warmer weather led to decrease the number of cases temporarily, the outbreaks occurred in 38 prefectures and 817 cases in total, and caused death of 420 thousand weaning pigs from November 2013 to August 2014 ("2013 epidemic season"). After 2013 epidemic season, upsurge of PED cases has not been reported as in 2013 epidemic season, 233 and 30 cases are reported in 2014 epidemic season and 2015 (from September to the first week of December) respectively. The control measures for PED in Japan such as strengthening of hygiene management on farm, promotion of vaccination, sharing of related information and prevention of cross-contamination at livestock relating facilities have been implemented steadily through mutual cooperation among concerned parties. These control measures are working well, and consequently massive outbreaks have not occurred as in 2013 epidemic season. However, control measures for PED should keep to be taken as the PED cases are still reported sporadically.