The Tsushima leopard cat, most endagered in Japan, have been exposed to the threat of disease from feral domestic cats, sach as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline louchemia vrus (FeLV). Based on the data from FIV and FeLV screening surveys, and the population densities of leopard cats and domestic cats, we performed geographical infection risk analysis using the GIS and risk maps in FIV and FeLV infection.

High pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) was isolated from wild birds found dead in 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010-2011, 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 in Japan. Some endangered species were included in the infected wild birds. Thus, HPAIV was thought to be one of the factors for population decline. HPAIV infection not only cause serious economic damage to poultry farm industry but also could affect to biodiversity.

On the circumstance, Ministry of Environment, Japan started a nationwide avian influenza virus survey program since 2008. National Institute of Environmental Studies (NIES) joined the program as the responsible organization of the first screening. In addition, NIES conducted the research regarding the virus, especially the aspect of the ecology of the virus. The research results showed that the virus could enter the western Japan in autumn through crossing the Sea of Japan and through the Korean Peninsula by mallards and northern pintails.

The collaboration of the wildlife and epidemiology researches has been progressed these days. The epidemiological approaches could contribute to understand the situation of the diseases and control the diseases in wildlife. This report introduces the several epidemiological approaches applied in the wildlife, including domestic and international research projects. In particular, epidemiological studies concerning the infectious disease in wildlife are highlighted : bovine tuberculosis in the United Kingdom, African swine fever in Europe and rabies in Taiwan. The potential utility of epidemiological approach in wildlife is also discussed.

Antimicrobial resistance resulting from imprudent use of antimicrobials is an increasing problem in both human and veterinary medicine. In many countries including Japan, pig production sector is the largest antimicrobial user amongst livestock sectors. It is therefore important to clarify the perception factors affecting the intention to reduce the antimicrobial usage in pig farmers and their advisory veterinarians. We conducted a survey targeting pig farmers (n＝105) and veterinarians (n＝28) using questionnaires. The farmers’ questionnaire was composed of 19 questions assessing the perceived benefits, need and risks of antimicrobial use ; intention to reduce the antimicrobial usage ; capability of reduction and relationship between advisory veterinarian, while veterinarians’ questionnaire included 17 questions assessing the perceived benefits, need and risks of antimicrobial usage ; the prescription attitudes ; capability of reduction ; the perceived farmers’ capability, prescription pressure and mutual trust with farmers. The results showed that farmers’ higher perceived risks and higher reduction capability were strongly associated with higher intentions to reduce antimicrobial usage. The perceived benefits and their years of experience were the mutual factors affecting both farmers’ intention to reduce and veterinarians’ prescription attitudes to reduce antimicrobial usage. We concluded that further enlightenment targeting pig farmers on the public health risks and alternative measures are most effective to promote prudent use of antimicrobials.

One of the greatest challenges facing Japanese animal health administration is to further improve the national surveillance system. Due to elevated risk of animal disease occurrence and spread, decreasing human and financial resources, as well as changing livestock industry, it is an urgent priority to revise the current surveillance system in terms of efficiency and effectiveness.

Since knowledge of surveillance in other countries can be resourceful in designing new surveillance system, my colleagues and I made an on-site visit to US regulatory agencies and collected relevant information. This report is to provide for an overview of US animal health surveillance system with focus on bovine tuberculosis and bovine brucellosis, both of which Japan is aiming to achieve and declare the disease freedom based on the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code.

With a shared sense of purpose for the previous publication titled “Summary Report : The United States Animal Health Surveillance”, my colleagues and I also made an on-site visit to New Zealand regulatory agencies and collected the relevant information. This report is to describe an overview of New Zealand animal health surveillance system with emphasis on bovine tuberculosis control at the livestock-wildlife interface.