November 25, 2024

Japan confirms first case of lumpy skin disease in cattle

Japan has reported its first confirmed case of lumpy skin disease, an infectious condition affecting cattle, at a farm in Itoshima, Fukuoka prefecture.

The Fukuoka prefectural government announced the detection, with further cases identified at additional farms in the same city.

In response, the prefectural government has invoked the Prevention of Infectious Diseases in Livestock Law to mandate vaccinations at 50 farms within a 20 km radius of the initially affected farm.

Lumpy skin disease causes fever and skin nodules in infected cattle. The mortality rate is estimated at 1% to 5%, and infected cattle can be shipped after recovery. The disease poses no risk to humans, and consuming meat or milk from affected animals is considered safe.

The prefectural government received a report on November 5, 2024, from a veterinarian examining an infected cow. A subsequent examination conducted by a central government agency on 6 November confirmed the infection.

Dozens of infected cattle had been identified across eight farms in the city. The prefectural government has outlined plans to vaccinate approximately 5,000 cattle by the end of the fiscal year.

-      The Japan News