We would like to inform you that Johne's disease, which is a disease whose spread is regulated under the Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases in Domestic Animals, has been confirmed in Yaku Is Sika Deer deer being kept in the enclosure at Tama Zoo.

We are currently implementing disease prevention measures under the guidance of the Livestock Health and Hygiene Center.

About Johne's disease
Johne's disease is a contagious disease of livestock as defined by the Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases of Domestic Animals, and is caused by the excretion of Mycobacter avium pallidum in feces. Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis It is an infectious disease of ruminant animals that is transmitted through oral ingestion of (the substance).

The sequence of events leading up to the discovery of the infection
June 9
Since February of this year, abnormal individuals suspected to be caused by mycobacteria (*) have been observed sporadically, so we reported and consulted with the Livestock Hygiene Service Center and requested testing.
June 11
Of the 18 animals being raised, fecal samples were collected from two that were isolated for treatment, and the samples were sent to the livestock health and hygiene center for testing.
June 14
We were informed that both animals tested were diagnosed with Johne's disease via real-time PCR testing.

*Includes Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacter avium. Mycobacter Bacteria of this genus are called acid-fast bacteria.

Status of measures taken after discovery
June 15
Officials from the Livestock Health and Hygiene Center visited the zoo to provide instructions and guidance on how to deal with Johne's disease in accordance with the Act on Prevention of Infectious Diseases in Domestic Animals.
June 19
One foal (born June 5th) died. We consulted with the livestock health and hygiene center and decided not to perform an autopsy.
June 28
Three of the animals (one of which was a pup of a positive case) were euthanized, and together with the one that died on June 19, the bodies of four animals were handed over to the Livestock Hygiene Center, where autopsies were performed.
June 29
The carcass was incinerated at the livestock health and hygiene center.
Published in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Gazette on June 29th, based on the Act on Prevention of Infectious Diseases in Domestic Animals.

Current situation and future actions (updated July 14)
Subsequently, we considered investigating the infection status of the remaining 14 Yaku Is Sika Deer that were being kept at our zoo. We requested the Livestock Hygiene Service Center to test 12 of them for Johne's disease, and on July 2nd, 11 were confirmed to be infected (positive). As a result, the 11 positive individuals and the 2 offspring born to them were euthanized on July 14th.

The one animal that tested negative will continue to be kept in an isolation facility, and will continue to undergo regular testing based on the guidance and advice of the Livestock Health and Hygiene Center.

Furthermore, we will carry out disinfection and other measures at our animal breeding and exhibition facilities based on the guidance and advice of the Livestock Health and Hygiene Center.

Updated on January 6, 2022
Regarding the one animal that was under isolation observation, a test conducted in November 2021 could not rule out the possibility of infection, so it was culled on December 20th based on advice from the Livestock Hygiene Service Center.
　
In response to the recent outbreak of Johne's disease, our farm is reinforcing hygiene management within the premises. We will also continue to investigate the cause of the Johne's disease outbreak and cooperate with the livestock health and hygiene center's epidemiological investigation to ensure that recurrence is prevented.

Updated March 25, 2022
Regarding one individual that was culled in December 2021, a Johne's disease test conducted at the Livestock Health and Hygiene Center confirmed infection (positive), and therefore, in accordance with the Act on Prevention of Infectious Diseases of Domestic Animals, this was published in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Gazette on March 25th. Learn more).

(June 30, 2021)
(July 14, 2021: Added information regarding the current situation and future actions)
(January 6, 2022: Added information regarding the response)
(March 25, 2022: Added information regarding publication in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Gazette)