Japan pork banned

The government on Sunday added Japan to the list of nations whose pork products are banned from entering the country due to African swine fever (ASF).

The Bureau of Animal Industry immediately imposed the ban following reports of its spread in the said country.

As such, all quarantine officers in ports of entry all over the country are directed to implement the said directive immediately.

The head office of the agricultural department will send formal directive which will be in effect while quarantine officials are validating reports of the spread of ASF in Japan.

As such, all quarantine officers in ports of entry all over the country are directed to implement the said directive immediately.

The quarantine officers were also advised to review their protocols, including the installing foot baths at the ports of entry and the monitoring of all meat products being brought into the country by tourists.

According to a report from The Japan News, the ASF virus gene was identified in four separate cases in Japan on 12 to 16 January.

It was found in carry-on baggage brought from China at Chubu Airport in Aichi Prefecture and Haneda Airport in Tokyo.

The virus is believed to enter countries via international mail and foreign tourists’ carry-on baggage.

Experts say ASF is a viral disease that infects pigs but does not infect humans.

The virus survives in the bodies of animals for three to six months and spreads via feces and the raw and processed meat of infected animals.