The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Miyazaki Prefecture is the worst on record in Japan. As of Tuesday, infection was confirmed in animals at 126 farms and facilities in one city and four towns. The number of cattle and pigs that are to be culled has climbed to some 253,000, due to the farm ministry's new policy.
If the outbreak is not contained, the livestock industry not only in Miyazaki Prefecture but also in many parts of Japan could be devastated. The government must use every available means to prevent the spread of the disease, including culling, vaccination and revisions of relevant laws.
When Miyazaki Prefecture suffered an outbreak of the disease in 2000, it was the first in Japan in 92 years. That outbreak, which continued for three months and unexpectedly spread to Hokkaido, affected only cattle. A total of 740 cattle were culled. Compared with that outbreak, the scale of the current one is massive.