Japan's foot-and-mouth virus like one found in HK

Japan's Agriculture Ministry says the foot-and-mouth disease virus found in a farm animal in a southwestern prefecture was similar to one found in Hong Kong.

The ministry says the 2 viruses likely share a route of infection, but it is unclear if the virus found in Japan came directly from Hong Kong, or entered the country from a third location.

The ministry sent genetic information of the virus taken from a sick animal in Miyazaki Prefecture to a British laboratory for analysis. The ministry is comparing the genetic makeup of the virus found in Japan with those found in other parts of the world.

The study determined that the virus found in Japan shares 99.2 percent of its genetic materials with the virus found in Hong Kong, 98.6 percent with one found in South Korea, and 93 percent with the one in Myanmar.

The samples were taken from a pig infected with foot-and-mouth disease in Hong Kong in February, and from the first infected livestock found in Miyazaki Prefecture.

The number of cows and pigs in the prefecture thought to be infected has risen since the first suspected case was reported in April. The ministry continues to analyze the genetic information, while taking measures to prevent the virus from spreading further.

A part of the foot-and-mouth virus is known to change genetic sequence as the virus spreads. The ministry is focused on that part as it compares data