Response of Japan to the introduction of exotic animal diseases.

The response of Japan to the introduction of exotic animal diseases is used as an example of methods used to control these diseases. Japan had been free from the major animal exotic diseases for many years until outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD) occurred in 2000, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in 2004 and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was detected in 2001. In spring 2000, four outbreaks of FMD were recorded. In early 2004, four outbreaks of HPAI were recorded. Without resorting to vaccination, both diseases were eradicated in several months through depopulation of infected farms, movement controls, surveillance and other measures. The first case of BSE was detected in September 2001. Since then, 23 additional cases were detected by the end of March 2006, despite a strict ban on the use of meat-and-bone meal for feed and other eradication measures. The authors describe how these diseases occurred or were detected in Japan and discuss how Japan responded to them. Details are given on how they were introduced into Japan, the impact on Japanese farming and society and the lessons learned.