Foot-and-mouth disease virus detected in meat seized at Shin-Chitose Airport

Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has confirmed the first detection of infectious foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus in meat seized at Shin-Chitose Airport in Hokkaido. The virus was found in raw goat meat that a passenger traveling from Beijing, China, attempted to bring into the country without authorization.

While the virus does not pose a risk to human health, it is highly contagious among cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. An outbreak could have devastating economic consequences for Japan's agricultural sector. The country has maintained FMD-free status since a major outbreak in Miyazaki Prefecture in 2010, which resulted in the culling of approximately 300,000 livestock. Authorities stated that the meat was intercepted at the border, preventing the virus from entering the country.