Miyazaki clear of FMD outbreak

01/09/2010
The authorities in the Japanese prefecture of Miyazaki have declared that an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) experienced there earlier this year is at an end.

Around 1,250 farms have been affected, but all have now been sufficiently disinfected, with livestock remains disposed of, to be completely free of the virus.

Since the discovery of the outbreak at the end of April, almost 290,000 head of cattle and pigs have been slaughtered and around 300 public events, including sporting events, have been cancelled.